Grammy-nominated David Dabbon is a New York City-based composer, arranger, and orchestrator.
Most recently, he composed the viral hit song “Eat Shit, Bob!” for HBO’s award-winning “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.”
On Broadway, David’s work has been heard as the dance arranger for “Beetlejuice” (OBCR) and “Disaster!” (OBCR) He also provided additional orchestrations for “Sondheim on Sondheim” (Grammy nomination, OBCR)
Additional dance arranging credits include the pre-Broadway tryout of Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes’ adaptation of “The Nutty Professor”, “A Sign of the Times” for Goodspeed Opera House and Delaware Theatre Company, and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” for Disney Dreams.
David received commissions for original scores from several regional theatre companies including: Geva Theatre (upcoming commission with playwright, Gabriel Jason Dean, for spring 2021), Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (“Game On,” conceiver), Seattle Children’s Theatre (“The Little Prince”), Indianapolis Repertory Theatre (“The Mousetrap”), and Dallas Black Dance Theatre (“Surface.”)
For HBO, David created new arrangements and orchestrations for the Peabody Award-winning documentary, “Six by Sondheim.” He has also composed the score for the full-length feature “All God's Creatures” and the short film, “Dori the Donor.”
David has worked extensively in the off-Broadway and downtown theater scene in the past decade. His credits include. Playwrights Horizons: “The Christians” (Music Supervisor) and Sarah Ruhl's "Stage Kiss"(Arranger). NYTW: David Greig’s production of “The Events” (Music Supervisor) and “Love and Information” (Music Director). Atlantic Theater Company: "Cloud Nine" (Music Director). LCT3: "The Harvest" (Choral Director). The Flea: “The Mysteries” (Composer, NYTimes Critics Pick) He was a conductor for David Lang’s "the public domain" created for Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival in 2016. Civilians R&D group (“Our New Town,” a new musical written with Gabriel Jason Dean and Jessie Dean which premiered at Wagner College in 2019
David has an ongoing collaboration with six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, regularly providing orchestrations for her albums. His work can be heard on both Sing Happy: Audra McDonald Live with the New York Philharmonic and Audra McDonald: Go Back Home His orchestration of "Somewhere/Some Other Time" was performed at the Kennedy Center Honors celebrating Michael Tilson Thomas in December of 2019.
As a teacher and mentor, David continues to be one of the most sought-after vocal coaches because of his inspiring style and his ability to instill confidence in his students. He has taught at New York University (Tisch PHTS,) Carnegie Mellon University, Montclair State University, Pace University, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, the Hartt School, Point Park University, and summer intensive programs such as Take it from the Top, Broadway Collective, and Young Performers of America. Combining his love of Broadway and teaching, David has conducted, arranged, and taught several of the high school musical theatre awards including: Blumey Awards in Charlotte (music director since its inception in 2012,) Jimmy Awards, Dallas Summer Musicals, Tulsa's Discovery Awards, and Pittsburgh's Gene Kelly Awards.
David is a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, a member of the Civilians R&D Group and serves as Vice President for the NYC based Choral Chameleon. He also attended the Johnny Mercer Song Writing Institute through ASCAP and Northwestern University.
David received his Masters in Choral Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University (under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Page) and earned his B.M. in Music Direction from the Hartt School of Music.