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David Skidmore is a renowned percussionist, composer, and educator in the world of classical music. Born on August 28, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois, Skidmore grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Skidmore started playing the drums at the age of six and was soon introduced to the world of classical percussion. Skidmore attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where he studied percussion with Keith Aleo and John Alfieri. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied with Michael Burritt and John Beck. Skidmore continued his education at the Yale School of Music, where he earned his Master of Music degree in percussion performance. Skidmore's career as a percussionist began to take off while he was still a student at Yale. He was a member of the Yale Percussion Group, which won the prestigious Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition in 2007. Skidmore also performed with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. After completing his studies at Yale, Skidmore co-founded the percussion quartet Third Coast Percussion in 2005. The group quickly gained recognition for their innovative performances and compositions, which blend classical music with elements of rock, jazz, and world music. Third Coast Percussion has performed at major venues and festivals around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Barbican Centre in London, and the Sydney Opera House. Skidmore has also established himself as a composer of contemporary classical music. His works have been commissioned and performed by leading ensembles and soloists, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. Skidmore's compositions often incorporate elements of improvisation and electronic music, and he has been praised for his ability to create immersive and engaging soundscapes. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Skidmore is also an active educator. He has taught percussion at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago, and the University of Richmond. Skidmore is currently an assistant professor of percussion at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches courses in percussion performance, composition, and improvisation. Skidmore's achievements as a percussionist and composer have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2016, he was awarded a prestigious United States Artists Fellowship in Music. He has also received grants and commissions from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program, and the Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard University. Skidmore's discography includes several recordings with Third Coast Percussion, as well as solo recordings of his compositions. His most recent album, "Cast," was released in 2020 and features a collection of works for percussion and electronics. Throughout his career, Skidmore has remained committed to pushing the boundaries of classical music and exploring new avenues of expression. His innovative approach to percussion and composition has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic artists in the field of contemporary classical music.

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