Minnesota-based drummer, percussionist and educator David Stanoch developed an appreciation for music at an early age with the help of a suitcase record player that he and his brother shared listening to their 45's by The Beatles, The O'Jay's, The Temptations, and the like, along with LP's from their parents' collection by such artists as Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain and Jim Reeves.



Encouraged by his parents, David Stanoch took up the guitar at the young age of 7, diligently studying the laws of music, and began drumming at age 10 after his guitar teacher suggested he pay more attention to the drums to improve his rhythm. David was quickly drawn to the excitement of drumming and excelled through his school band (and garage band) experiences. He studied for many years with noted Minnesota Orchestra percussionist Elliot Fine, renowned co-author (with Marv Dahlgren) of 4-Way Coordination, one of the most innovative and highly regarded of all drumset method books since its publication 40 years ago. At age 16, David was selected to be principal percussionist for the 1978 European Tour of America's Youth in Concert, recording an album and performing in New York City's famous Carnegie Hall before heading overseas for a six week tour. It was this experience that helped David decide that music was the direction to which he would devote his life's work. Later that same year, David won First Place in the Minnesota state competition of the Louis Bellson/Slingerland Drum Company National Drum Contest.



David Stanoch attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on jazz, percussion, and performance studies with the renowned jazz bassist Richard Davis, esteemed percussionist/conductor James Latimer, legendary jazz drummers Max Roach and Alan Dawson, through percussion department sponsored artist-in-residencies, and Indian drum master Zakir Hussain in master classes. He has also studied with many prominent contemporary drummers over the years including Ignacio Berroa, Marv Dahlgren, Jeff Hamilton, Phil Hey, Gordy Knudtson and Chad Wackerman.



Today, David Stanoch has over thirty years of professional experience as a drummer/percussionist in a truly eclectic variety of musical situations performing, recording, or touring with contemporary popular artists from genres of jazz, rock, gospel, R&B, folk, and classical music as well as motion pictures, television, and Broadway--his love for a wide range of music perhaps fueled by the variety he heard coming from that suitcase record player as a child. The list includes Lin Biviano, Bobby Bradford, Jackson Browne, Hiram Bullock, John Carter, Charo, George Clinton, Anthony Cox, Sheryl Crow, Richard Davis, The Diamonds, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Herb Ellis, The Empire Brass, Five Guys Named Moe (national tour), Robert Goulet, Col. Bruce Hampton, Scott Henderson, Freedy Johnston, Shirley Jones, Stanley Jordan, Keb' Mo, The Lettermen, Shari Lewis, Lorna Luft, The Marvelettes, Jack McDuff, Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Minnesota Orchestra, The New Kids On The Block, Bob Newhart, Dick Oatts, Bonnie Raitt, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Randy Sabien, Bobby Shew, Martin Short, Ben Sidran, Katy Tessman, Timbuk 3, Butch Vig and The Supremes' Mary Wilson. David has also performed onstage with renowned drummers Bernard Purdie, Ed Shaughnessy and Clyde Stubblefield, and has enjoyed thrill of opening for arguably the most famous drummers in the world, Buddy Rich and Ringo Starr.



Locally David Stanoch juggles freelance playing with regular duties, onstage and in the studio, for several bands from his drum stool including free jazz/avant guardians the Ellen Lease/Pat Moriarty Quintet, world beat ensemble Axis Mundi, stalwart original rockers Sometimes Y, percussion icon Marv Dahlgren's Quintet, the celebrated Cedar Ave. Big Band, alternative jazz-rockers Frankhouse, percussion super-trio Drums Unlimited, corporate variety group the Vanguard Orchestra, and the progressive jazz trio TRIPLICATE, described by DRUM! magazine as being "so good that it's intimidating." Over the years David has served in the pit orchestras for many theatrical productions at the Guthrie, Mixed Blood, Ordway and Southern theatres in the Twin Cities, and also on national tours.



As an educator, David Stanoch has been on the faculty of the McNally Smith College of Music (formerly Musictech) since 1990, where he has co-authored the percussion department curriculum and actively taught all classes offered in the department as well as ensembles, private lessons and a course on the History of Drumming in American Popular Music of his own design. He is also active as a clinician for the Paiste Cymbal Company, at colleges, high schools, music stores, and music camps around the Mid-West. David recieved a Certificate of Recognition, in appreciation of distinguished service and exceptional dedication to percussive music education, from the Pro-Mark Corporation of America, in 1993. In 2007, David also became a published author, contributing to MODERN DRUMMER, Percussive Arts Society/MN, and DRUMMER (UK) magazines.



Beyond drumming, David Stanoch has co-produced three critically acclaimed CD releases on his Rhythmelodic Records label (Day & Age, and the self-titled debut from TRIPLICATE--nominated for two 2001 Minnesota Music Awards, and Katy Tessman's Fall). He composed and/or arranged music for all three releases, as he does for other projects as well. In 2005, he co-produced MinneNOLA Hurricane Relief Concert & Dance: A Benefit for the Musicians of Louisiana, a one-day event that raised approximately ten thousand dollars in relief support for Gulf Coast musicians and their families affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.



David Stanoch resides in Minnesota with his wife Katy and sons Louis and Maxwell. He endorses Paiste Cymbals, EV Microphones and products by GK Music and Gauger Percussion Inc.