Biography of David Taylor

Known to Chicago audiences as a versatile soloist, chamber player, and orchestral musician, violinist David Taylor joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as assistant concertmaster in 1979.

Born in Canton, Ohio, in 1949, David began to study violin with his father at the age of four. Later teachers included Margaret Randall and Rafael Druian at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Ivan Galamian and Doroty DeLay at the Juilliard School, where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. In 1974, David joined the Cleveland Orchestra, where he was a first violinist before he came to Chicago. He has made fourteen solo appearances with the CSO under Sir Georg Solti and Kenneth Jean. David also has served as acting concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and as concertmaster of the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Ars Viva Chamber Orchestra, and the Park Ridge Symphony.

A lover of chamber music, David is the first violinist of the Pressenda Piano Trio and the Chicago Ensemble. He gives recitals throughout the Chicagoland area, performs on WFMT and at Ravinia, and appears as soloist with many local orchestras. He teaches privately and has students in orchestras across the United States and Japan.

David is married to Michelle Wynton, also a violinist. He has a daughter, Sarah, who lives in Wheaton.