DAVID DEASON was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1945. He is a composer, harpsichordist, and educator. Deason received his B.M. in 1967 from Florida State University where he studied with John Boda and Harold Schiffman, and his M.M. degree from Juilliard in 1968, where he studied with Roger Sessions and Lester Trimble. 

Deason taught at Lander College from 1969 to 1970. He became an assistant professor at Caldwell College in New Jersey in 1977, as well as teaching for the New School for Social Research in New York beginning in 1978. 

He has received awards from Meet the Composer and ASCAP. Orchestral works include a piano concerto, selected by competition for performance by the Columbia Philharmonic Orchestra in 1970, and Baleen for guitar, quarter-tone harpsichord and orchestra. Deason has also written many works for keyboard, and the majority of his works are for chamber winds, used in many different combinations.

In 1992 Deason earned a Doctorate degree from Ohio State University and has spent much of his recent years life teaching music theory, counterpoint, and jazz at various colleges and universities. Now living in Oregon, Dave, his wife Mary, and their Scottish Terriers have explored many regions of the state with the fascination that continues to enthrall many others.

last updated March 29, 2020
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