David Stull
David H. Stull has served as President of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) since 2013. During his tenure, the Conservatory has launched a dynamic new curriculum that prepares artists to seize opportunities in the modern economy while equipping them for lifelong success in any endeavor. In addition to new programs in film and game scoring, technology, and Roots, Jazz and American Music, the school has forged educational alliances with the San Francisco Symphony and Opera, the SFJAZZ Center, Skywalker Studios, SONY, and numerous companies in Silicon Valley. The Conservatory has recently been featured on the Today Show, Vice News on HBO, and in the New York Times, which broke an exclusive story announcing a single gift of $46.4M to launch construction of the Ute and William K. Bowes, Jr. Performing Arts Center; the largest gift in history to a music school in support of a building project.
Before leading SFCM, Mr. Stull served for nine years as Dean and Professor of Brass Studies with continuous tenure at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. There he spearheaded the construction of The Kohl Building and implemented numerous academic programs, in addition to launching a record label. He also produced orchestral tours to Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the People’s Republic of China, as well as a Grammy-nominated album and a concert by Stevie Wonder celebrating the Kohl Building.
Recognizing the success of Oberlin's innovative work and contributions to American education, President Barack Obama presented the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with the National Medal of Arts, which Mr. Stull accepted on behalf of the institution in February 2010.
Prior to Oberlin, Mr. Stull worked for the Aspen Music Festival, held dean and teaching positions at Lawrence University, and served as the associate director of admissions for the Juilliard School. A professional tubist, he has performed with the Milwaukee Ballet, the Bravo Colorado Music Festival, the Oberlin Brass Quintet, the American Brass Quintet, the Aspen Festival Orchestra, Live from Lincoln Center, toured the US and Europe, and recorded for commercial radio and television. His former students have performed with the Houston and Seattle symphonies and hold major teaching positions. Mr. Stull often serves as a keynote speaker and has been featured on From the Top and Performance Today, in addition to numerous media outlets across the country.
A native of Cincinnati, Mr. Stull earned degrees in tuba performance and English literature at Oberlin College. He attended the Aspen Music Festival and pursued further study in the American Brass Quintet Seminar at the Juilliard School before completing an Masters in Music at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In his spare time, he flies a 1965 Cessna 182 Super Eagle. An instrument-rated pilot, he has flown across the United States, the Bahamian Islands, and the Grand Canyon. He currently resides in Sausalito with his wife, Jessica Downs, and their daughters, Madeline and Emily.
