David Kaiser
David Kaiser is a highly accomplished trumpet player and educator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He balances a busy schedule as a performer and as a full-time band director. Kaiser's playing has been praised by world-renowned musicians like Wayne Bergeron, Allen Vizzutti, and Tony Kadleck for its versatility and technical skill.
As a freelance musician, Kaiser performs in a wide range of settings, including orchestras, chamber groups, jazz ensembles, salsa bands, and pop/commercial groups. He is a regular performer with several Twin Cities ensembles, such as High & Mighty, the Bill Simenson Orchestra, Silver Alchemists, McNasty Brass Band, and the Bluewater Kings. His performing career has taken him across the country, including an orchestra fellowship at the Miami Music Festival. He has shared the stage with notable artists like Øystein Baadsvik, Allen Vizzutti, and Helen Sung.
In addition to his performance career, Kaiser is a dedicated educator focused on equity and accessibility in music education. His teaching experience spans K-12 students in diverse communities, covering band, orchestra, and general music. He currently serves as the director of bands at Zimmerman Middle-High School in Zimmerman, Minnesota, where he directs various ensembles, including concert band, jazz band, pep band, and modern band. Before this, he taught middle school band in St. Paul, MN. As a private trumpet teacher, many of his students have participated in prestigious youth symphonies and All-State ensembles and have gone on to attend top universities, including the University of Minnesota, St. Olaf College, and Columbia University (NYC).
David graduated with honors from Minnesota State University in Mankato with a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental and Classroom Music Education. He then earned a master's degree in trumpet performance from Western Michigan University, where he served as principal trumpet in the university's wind symphony, symphony orchestra, and as lead trumpet for the award-winning Western Jazz Orchestra. His primary trumpet teachers include Dr. Douglas Snapp, Dr. Jonathan Brandt, Dr. Scott Cowan, Professor Scott Thornburg, and Dr. Robert White.
When not performing or teaching, Kaiser enjoys cycling to coffee shops, spending time with his partner, Emma, and playing with their two cats, Adeline and Mariska.