David Mitchell is an active educator and performer, currently teaching music theory, aural skills, and assisting the percussion department at East Tennessee State University. He is a percussion instructor at Science Hill High School, who will be presenting a PASIC Showcase Concert in 2013. He often presents clinics at other schools in the region, and was formerly the principal percussionist for the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra. He has taught and performed throughout East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Central North Carolina. He is often given the opportunity to compose and arrange music for percussion ensembles and marching bands in these regions.

Mitchell’s primary percussion studies were with Dr. Rande Sanderbeck and Dr. Kristopher Keeton. He studied composition/arranging with Dr. Maria Niederberger and Dr. Frank Grzych. Other supplemental studies include studio drumming with Dr. Tony Artimisi, frame drums and other world percussion with Sandy Blocker, West African djembe with Atiba Rorie, and tama with Mamadou Mbengue from Saint-Louis, Senegal. He has also had the pleasure of being involved with acclaimed percussionists such as Mark Ford, Dr. Christopher Norton, Dr. Nathan Daughtrey, and Mickey Burmer.

David Mitchell received his Bachelor of Music at East Tennessee State University and Master of Music at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He currently resides in East Tennessee with his wife, Carrie Mitchell.