David Ferris

David grew up in Cornwall, and first started playing the piano aged 8. He was lucky enough to have teachers who introduced him to jazz from an early age, and soon became involved in Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the multi-award winning Helston School Jazz Orchestra.
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However, the real turning point for David came with involvement with the National Youth Jazz Collective (NYJC) led by Issie Barrett. David twice attended the NYJC summer school, where he received tuition from such luminaries as John Hollenbeck, Mark Lockheart, Nikki Iles and Martin Speake, as well as performing at venues including the Yehudi Menuhin Hall, the Barbican and King's Place. Following the 2011 Summer School, David was named as a "One To Watch" by Jazz FM DJ Helen Mayhew in Jazzwise magazine.
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Now studying on the renowned Jazz Degree at Birmingham Conservatoire, David is taught by musicians such as John Turville, Mike Williams, Percy Pursglove, Liam Noble and Hans Koller, as well as visiting jazz legends such as Dave Holland, John Taylor and George Colligan. Heavily involved as a sideman with many bands on the thriving Birmingham scene, David can also be seen leading his own groups.

Teaching is a major passion for David. He has experience of teaching both young children and adults, individually or to large groups, and in many different disciplines of music. He sets out to make lessons enjoyable and inspiring as well as informative - as someone who has been lucky enough to have had some great teachers himself, he is well aware of the impact it can have.