Percussionist Dave Tarantino currently resides in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia where he has lived since 2019. A native of the Philly area (Moorestown, NJ), he is an active performer, educator, and administrator for many organizations throughout the region.
Just this past spring Dave started as a fill-in on air host for WRTI 90.1, Philadelphia’s classical and jazz public radio station. Follow Dave on instagram to keep up with when he will be on air!
As an orchestral musician Dave has played with the following groups since 2021: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (2022 USA tour), Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Opera Delaware, Allentown Symphony, Reading Symphony, Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and the Bay Atlantic Symphony.
Most notably, during the 2016-2017 season, Dave performed as a member of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra percussion section in Tel Aviv, Israel. During this time, he worked with some of the world’s most renowned soloists and conductors, including frequently with the orchestra’s then music director Zubin Mehta. While a member of this orchestra, he went on many international tours to 4 different continents playing in some of the world’s finest concert halls.
As an active educator, Dave is currently on faculty of the Settlement Music School and a teaching artist for Play On Philly. For 2 years Dave also taught General Music for kindergarten through 8th grade at Allen Stearne Elementary School in the Frankford neighborhood. In addition, he maintains an active private studio with students ranging in age from 6-60.
On the administrative side of his career, Dave is currently the personnel manager for the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.
Dave completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts and Masters in Music at Boston University, and Bachelor of Music at New England Conservatory where he studied with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra percussion and timpani sections including Will Hudgins, Tim Genis, and Kyle Brightwell.