David Plumpton - Ballet Pianist

Born in North Yorkshire, David is widely regarded as one of the foremost dance accompanists in the UK. In a career spanning over 25 years, he has worked with some of the finest and most respected dancers, teachers and choreographers of his generation. Based in his home County, David is currently engaged as both company and school accompanist with Northern Ballet, additionally for the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, as well as the Royal Ballet School's Associates programme.

David played for the inaugural performance at the official opening of Northern Ballet's new home, in the presence of HRH Prince Edward. He has worked with such international artists as Darcey Bussell CBE and Jonathan Cope CBE. An extensive list of leading teachers for whom he has played includes Deborah Bull CBE, Dame Beryl Grey, Gillian Lynne CBE, Marguerite Porter MBE, Patricia Ruanne D. LITT. D.E, Marion Tait CBE, Edward Watson MBE, David Ashmole, David Bintley CBE, Sir Anthony Dowell CBE, Wayne Eagling, Christopher Gable CBE, Kevin Haigen, Niall McMahon, David Nixon OBE and Wayne Sleep OBE. He has accompanied the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, New Adventures, Rambert Dance Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, New English Contemporary Ballet and the Mark Morris Dance Group; additionally he has collaborated on education projects with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Northern Ballet.Television credits include: A Master Class with Wayne Sleep (ITV), Men in Tights (Granada Television), Big Ballet (Channel 4), Wonderland (BBC) and Dream Dancer (Sky).m As a composer, David has written five full length ballet scores: The Little Matchstick Girl, Thumbelina, Little Red Riding Hood, The Snow Queen and The Little Mermaid. He also composed the theme tune for A Master Class with Wayne Sleep (ITV).

David's work with leading vocational centres includes Central School of Ballet, Elmhurst School for Dance, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, SLP College and Pineapple Dance Studios. He is a regular class and examination accompanist for the Royal Academy of Dance, Imperial Society and the British Ballet Organisation and has played for regional and national courses for these respected bodies. For the past decade, he has accompanied the world renowned Yorkshire Ballet Seminars under the direction of David Gayle MBE and Marguerite Porter MBE. Most recently, David was honoured to be asked to compose new music for the International Dance Teachers' Association Advanced Ballet Syllabus. He is passionate in his interest for dance, for working with teachers, professional performers and aspiring students.