David R. Wertz

"As humans it's important to learn and to be inspired. It cannot just be about music. You need to cultivate yourself as a human being to bring that to the art" -Gustavo Dudamel

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Résumé & Bio

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Wertz CV 📗



David Wertz is a passionate music educator and performer originally from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. His love for music and teaching began early through active participation in school and festival bands. David earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Messiah College and his Master of Music in Music Education at the Longy School of Music of Bard College.

David currently serves as the band director at All City Leadership Secondary School in Brooklyn, part of the New York City Department of Education. He has established a comprehensive beginning band curriculum, developed an AP Music Theory course, and launched both a modern band and pep band program. His work centers student voice, inclusive practices, and inquiry-based learning. He has been awarded multiple grants, including a four-year partnership with Exploring the Arts and a multi instrument grant from Hungry for Music, enabling expanded access to quality instruction and instruments.

Previously, David taught at the Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts, where he secured the DOE Woodwind and Brass Instrument Grant and the Exploring the Arts: Arts Access Grant. Through these resources, he commissioned composer Jasmine Barnes for a residency that gave students hands-on experience in the creative process, while increasing representation of underrepresented composers at the beginning band level.

Outside the classroom, David has contributed to various performance and leadership roles. He is a member of the Brooklyn Wind Symphony and the Metropolitan Music Community Band, and has guest-conducted for the Mechanicsburg Singer Band. As a trumpet performer, he has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the National Trumpet Competition, where he was a two-time quarter-finalist. He was recently selected as an Assistant Conductor Finalist for the Kings County Concert Band and will serve as Symphonic Band Chair for the New York City Honors Music Festival.

David holds teaching certifications in New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and is an active member of professional organizations including NYSBDA, NYSSMA, NAfME, and the Carnegie Hall Music Educators Workshop. His teaching philosophy is rooted in service—prioritizing students, families, and the wider school community. He continues to grow his practice through curriculum design, guest conducting, and professional development, with a steadfast commitment to making music education inclusive and impactful.

In his time as an educator his philosophy has developed over time, but one thing remains the same since the beginning: his primary goal to serve the community, parents and most importantly students of his school.

Recently, David was featured in a news article highlighting his work and dedication to music education — Read the full article here.

Teacher

A teacher's job is to teach people, not subjects.

Planning

The core of any successful lesson plan is the sequence. All of my plans begin with an engagement/ Warm-up to prepare students for the learning process and allow some structured time to transition to the subject at hand. Then will follow an activity where students will either explore the material for the lesson with teacher lead or student lead instruction. Students will then receive some form of instructional feedback to explain and guide their learning. Finally, a core component of most lessons is an evaluation so I can reflect on the concepts that were learned and the concepts students need to continue to work on.

Curriculum Map- Beginning Band Example.pdf

Unit Plan- Beginning Band Example.pdf


Example of Sequence of Lessons:

Band Lesson 4.3.pdf

Band Lesson 4.4.pdf

Band Lesson 4.5.pdf

Band Lesson 4.6.pdf


Band Lesson 1.7 First Day with Instruments


Exploring the Arts Grant

It is essential for students to see themselves both represented in the classroom and through "real world" experiences. I applied for the ETA grant to create more opportunities like that for my students. I worked hand in hand with Composer, Jasmine Barnes, to influence the creation of a musical work that was equitable for all. What I mean by this is we created a piece of music that any beginner band can play and provided copyrights for any Department of Education school to use for free. This provides any music program the access to beginning band music that is written by a renowned composer. The composition also opened the opportunity for my students to work directly with Ms. Barnes through Zoom and a classroom visit in which we worked on the piece in real time. Opportunities that expand outside the classroom open students minds to the possibilities of what can be accomplished. 

Classroom Environment

It is crucial for every educator to have a safe and challenging classroom environment for all students. Students need clear expectations to follow and feel part of the learning community. An effective classroom one is one that is organized, clear and safe. 


Instruction

Each student has their own individual learning style that contributes to their overall success in any subject. As an educator I incorporate multiple means of instructions to reach each of my students; these include: manipulatives, educational posters, podcasts/videos, raised stickers, bucket drumming, and other forms of diversified learning. 

Example Assignments 

Professional Responsibilities

Technology

  • Google Suite-to organize student assignments and communicate upcoming music department events.

    • Classroom
    • Google meet
    • Google calendar
    • Jam board
  • Smart Board- utilized for enhancing in-person and online instructional lessons.
    • Listening assignments 
    • Notebook 
    • Presentations
    • Activities
  • TE Tuner- used during rehearsal and practice time to maintain musical accountability. 
    • Tuner
    • Metronome
    • Student Recorded Submissions
    • Drone
  • NinGenius Kids- provides extra practices for students to play a "game" and expand learning.
    • Note Identification
    • Fingering Practice
  • Finale/ flat.io - composition software that allows teacher and student to express musical ideas on paper.
    • Music Notation
    • Band Arrangements 
  • InTune- extra support for students to hone in intonation skills to better understand pitch center.
    • Aural Training


Musician

As an educator, I believe it is essential to have a clear, intentional sound concept for my students to strive toward. My own experience as a performer has reinforced the value of beginning with the end in mind. I have presented both junior and senior recitals and performed with a variety of ensembles, all of which have informed my approach to teaching and musicianship. Visit the Recordings page to hear samples of my performances.

Community Based:

Metropolitan Music Community:
Brooklyn Wind Symphony-Trumpet (Current)
* Carnegie Hall Performance May, 2025- Trumpet
*World Association of Symphonic Band Ensemble Conference July, 2024- Trumpet 
*Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic December, 2023- Trumpet
*Carnegie Hall Performance June, 2023- Trumpet



Past:
Kings County Community Band- Clarinet
Anne Arundel Community College Band- Trumpet
Greater Harrisburg Community Band - Trumpet
Mechanicsburg Singer Band- Trumpet, Guest Conductor
Altoona Brass Collective- Trumpet

Messiah College:

Wind Ensemble- Trumpet
  * PMEA Performer- 2019
  * NJMEA Performer- 2019
Trumpet Ensemble- Trumpet
  * PMEA Performer- 2019
Brass Choir- Trumpet
Jazz II-Trumpet
Symphonic Winds- Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, and Trumpet
Symphony Orchestra- Viola
Concert Choir- Bass



Live Recordings

Private Lessons

Contact


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