David R. Coolidge hails from Anderson, Indiana, where he graduated from Highland High School and Anderson University, majoring in trumpet performance. Dave went on to complete a graduate program at the Indiana University School of Music (Master of Music in Trumpet, Jazz Minor), studying trumpet with William Adam and Bernard Adelstein, and jazz with David Baker and Dominic Spera. In addition to playing lead trumpet in Baker's top Jazz Ensemble both years, he also performed with the University, Concert, Symphony, and Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as two different graduate solo recitals. The summer of 1988 saw Dave land his first professional steady playing job in a show band for the "Celebrate America" show at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA.
In May of 1989, he began his eleven-year tenure as a lead player at Walt Disney World with EPCOT's renowned ensemble, FutureCorps, until it was disbanded in May of 2000. Besides recording, producing, and selling an independent (non-Disney) album, some of the group's highlights include: performing as artist/clinicians at the national conferences of M.E.N.C., I.A.J.E., Percussive Arts Society, the D.C.I. Championships in '92,'94,'95,'96,'97, & '98, national TV appearances including "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee" and "Good Morning America," and three tours of Japan as clinicians for Dynasty Music Products. Additional experience while at Disney included playing in both the Walt Disney World Orchestra and Fanfare Trumpets for EPCOT's annual "Candlelight Processional" holiday show, regular work at Disney conventions and weddings, and subbing in virtually every other band on Disney property.
Having since relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, Dave continues to freelance as both a performer and teacher, finally enjoying the freedom to travel for work, when needed. He is currently a Faculty Associate in the Jazz Department at Arizona State University, and has taught on the brass staffs of both The Academy (Arizona) and the Yokohama Inspires (Japan) Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as many private students at Phoenix College and Quick's Music Store. His own ongoing trumpet studies have been with master teachers such as Laurie Frink (Caruso clinician) in New York, and Bobby Shew in Los Angeles. Locally, Dave can usually be found performing at the Broadway Palm dinner theatre, or in one of many different big bands, salsa groups, churches, theatres or other nightspots. He is an active member of AFM Locals #389 (Orlando) and #586 (Phoenix), the Theatre Musician's Association, and the International Trumpet Guild.
Dave's most recent clinics and master classes have been for the Arizona I.A.J.E. Jazz Institute at Phoenix College, Tucson Sabino HS, and for trumpet students at Glendale Community College. Over the years, he has also served on the instructional staffs of both the Suncoast Sound and Magic of Orlando Drum & Bugle Corps, and many award-winning high school marching bands in both the states of Indiana and Florida. Additionally, Dave has adjudicated a wide variety of events and venues, including the Kentucky State Marching Band Finals, the Arizona All-District Concert Band auditions, and the Arizona All-State Jazz Band auditions. 