David Everson
David Everson
Assistant Principal
DSO member since 1999
Assistant Principal Horn David Everson has been a member of the DSO since 1999. A native of Livonia, Michigan and the son of two musicians, Everson studied at the University of Michigan with the highly regarded orchestral player and revered teacher Louis Stout. While in school, Everson was a member of the Flint and Toledo symphony orchestras. Upon leaving Michigan, he accepted the position of Associate Principal Horn of the Kansas City Symphony and was eventually named Principal Horn of the orchestra—a position he held for 13 years. While in Kansas City, he was frequently featured as a soloist with the Grammy Award-nominated Kansas City Brass, a group that he served as a founding member of. Everson has served as guest Principal Horn in the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
As an educator, Everson has served on the faculties of William Jewell College, Washburn University, and his alma mater, the University of Michigan. He has played in various music festivals around the country and is in demand as a clinician and chamber musician. He is also a sought-after private instructor and believes strongly in the support and development of the next generation of horn players. He taught for years at the Cranbrook Academy and continues to mentor students through the DSO's various educational programs.
Everson has also worked as a studio musician in Los Angeles, where he can be heard on more than 150 soundtracks (including James Cameron’s Avatar, his first movie, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). He has recorded with John Williams, James Newton Howard, Michael Giacchino, and Alan Silvestri, among others. "Hollywood," as he is sometimes called, can also be heard on albums by Josh Groban, Seth McFarlane, Idina Menzel, Barbara Streisand, and Neil Young.
Everson lives in Farmington Hills, Michigan with his wife, Jill. When he is not playing his horn he enjoys travel, fine wine, fishing, and golf.