David Gordon-Shute

David trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music. Through the fantastic experiences of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the European Union Youth Orchestra came a passion for music: both playing and teaching. He currently performs with Onyx Brass and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia where he is principal tuba.

Having started teaching at Radley College and Burlington Danes Academy in the late 1990s, David has been the tuba teacher at Eton College since 2001, receiving a promotion in 2009 to Head of Brass. In 2025, David stepped back from this role. In addition, he has coached the tuba section of the NYO, the brass section of the Herts County Youth Orchestra and given masterclasses all over the world with Onyx Brass, including the Juilliard School in New York. David gives regular classes at the RCM, RBC and RWCMD.

Since 2009 David has been branching out as a conductor. He is currently musical director of Hertfordshire County Youth Wind Sinfonia and the Ealing Wind Orchestra, as well as occasional guest conductor with other groups including both the Royal College of Music Wind Orchestra and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Band.

Image credit: The Finest Light