David Bahanovich

David Bahanovich joined Curtis Institute of Music in 2024 as associate provost, bringing over two decades of experience in higher education and a distinguished international profile as a music director, cellist, producer, writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. His career reflects a deep commitment to fostering curricular innovation within the music conservatory sector, drawing on extensive leadership experience in both higher education and the broader music industry. Before joining Curtis, he served as dean of music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, the UK’s largest music conservatory, and previously taught at the Royal College of Music.

As a music director, Mr. Bahanovich’s artistic achievements span genres, including feature films, contemporary dance, theater, multimedia, and opera. He made his European conducting debut in Florence at Zubin Mehta’s Maggio Musicale, collaborating with Oscar-winning director James Ivory and served as the musical director for Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Broadway performance of Armitage’s Last Lap.

For over 25 years, Mr. Bahanovich has been associated with the Academy Award-winning Merchant Ivory Productions. His innovative approach to the score of Jefferson in Paris was praised by the New York Times, and his work was the subject of a BBC documentary. He is featured in the 2024 Merchant Ivory documentary alongside Hugh Grant, Helena Bonham Carter, and Vanessa Redgrave. Mr. Bahanovich is a voting member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Before London, he was based in New York, where he was active with leading international period and modern orchestras across three continents. His versatility extends beyond classical music and has performed with celebrated Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and jazz great Terence Blanchard. He has recorded and produced for EMI at Abbey Road Studios, as well as for Sony and Columbia Records.

His impact in arts education extends nationally and internationally and contributes to the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Europe’s cultural and educational network representing over 300 member institutions in 57 countries. Mr. Bahanovich’s governance experience includes board roles in prominent UK arts and education organizations, and he is a frequent speaker at international conferences. A graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, he also holds an M.B.A. and is currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration degree in higher education management.