A versatile musician, Dr. David A. Klement conducts choirs, orchestras, musical theater ensembles and operas, has taught private vocal studios, courses in choral and instrumental conducting, vocal diction, choral arranging, choral techniques, and vocal literature. With a primary focus on early performance practice and twentieth century English choral and solo vocal literature, his doctoral dissertation “Edward Elgar’s The Music Makers: A Choral Conductor’s Analysis and Score Preparation Guide” was published in 2018 and received a University of Northern Colorado Dean's Award for Outstanding Dissertation. He is currently working on an article based on this research for the ACDA Choral Journal. An active all-state adjudicator and presenter, Dr. Klement has judged soloists and choirs and presented in NMMEA and other state festivals. In addition to his conducting, teaching and solo vocal performances, he is an active composer, specializing in sacred music for adult and children’s choirs. The son of a Methodist pastor, he has led distinguished church music programs for almost thirty years, including the conducting of hand bell choirs.

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Now Assistant Professor of Choral Music at the University of Idaho, prior to receiving his doctorate, Dr. Klement served in the roles of Director of Choral Activities at New Mexico State University following his role as Director of Music at Asbury First United Methodist Church and the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Rochester Boys Choir in Rochester, NY. In addition, he has taught at Valdosta State University, Dartmouth College, the Eastman School of Music and the Albany Academy for Girls.

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A native of New Jersey, Dr. Klement began his music career when he attended the esteemed St. Thomas Choir School in NYC where he studied with Gerre Hancock and earned the Head Chorister Award. Following attendance at the George School, he received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Literature from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Eastman School of Music, and most recently, his Doctorate of Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Northern Colorado. He is extremely honored to have studied under choral luminaries such as Sir David Willcocks, Gerre Hancock, Donald Neuen, Dale Warland, Daniel Moe, Samuel Adler, Melinda O’Neal, Alfred Mann, Jill Burgett and Galen Darrough. Their passion for teaching and spreading the choral art to the next generation continues to inspire him!