Bio

Cellist David Dietz has performed across North America, Europe and Asia and is comfortable in a wide range of settings as a performer and educator. His belief in classical music’s ability to strengthen communities and bring people together has driven his involvement in many creative projects spanning from kindergarten classrooms to concert halls. Recent season highlights include a series of community concerts in the Houston Public Library system with Trio Menil and recitals at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music. 

Chamber music is the heart of David’s artistic practice. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Houston Music Festival, which reimagines chamber music through interdisciplinary collaboration. Now in its third season, HMF has produced innovative concerts in spaces throughout Houston and features internationally renowned artists such as pianist Jon Kimura Parker, poet Outspoken Bean, and artist Xuan Films. David is also a founding member of Trio Menil, a piano trio that performs extensively throughout the United States and was the Grand Prizewinner at the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Upcoming performance highlights include recitals in Texas and Indiana with Jonathan Mak, a piano trio tour with violinist Mary Grace Johnson and pianist Chelsea de Souza, and a performance with Brooklyn Rider.   

David was raised by two public school music teachers and firmly believes in music education’s ability to lift up communities and build a more compassionate society. He regularly appears in classrooms across Houston to perform and speak about classical music, and has recently given masterclasses at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, American Festival of the Arts, and Opus 1 Chamber Music School. David serves on the faculty of Lone Star College- University Park as an Adjunct Instructor of Cello and maintains a robust private studio. 

David holds a Master’s Degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music where he studied with Desmond Hoebig, and a Bachelor of Music and Performance Diploma from Indiana University, where he studied with Eric Kim. In his free time David loves to read historical fiction novels, drink a lot of coffee, and explore the many bicycle trails throughout Houston, Texas.