David Harper was born in New Zealand and early success there as an aspiring concert pianist led him to London in 1967 to further his studies at the Royal College of Music. However, an overwhelming passion for the vocal repertoire and the voice soon eclipsed any ambitions to pursue a solo career and within a few years of leaving college he had achieved his dream of working exclusively with singers.

David then spent four years at the English National Opera which provided the invaluable experience of working with all voice types in a broad range of operatic styles. In 1976 he launched his freelance career and invitations to perform concerts with a wide variety of singers followed in quick succession. Studio broadcasts with the BBC, recitals at the Wigmore Hall (London) and numerous other engagements throughout the British Isles and Europe gained him a glowing reputation as a vocal accompanist of rare sensitivity.

In addition to his increasingly prolific performing activities there grew a fascination for the more technical, scientific and physical aspects of singing. This, together with an awareness of the importance of language, articulation, stylistic integrity and interpretation led to the development of a concurrent career in the teaching/coaching studio. It is this aspect of his involvement in the world of the lyric arts which has become increasingly predominant in recent years.

His wide-reaching reputation in this field encompasses a thriving London studio where his list of clients includes numerous international artists, many of whom have invited him to join them in recitals at major concert venues in Edinburgh, Wexford, Toronto, Brussels, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

As well as two CDs for Trust Records, another recent recording project includes the two volumes of Mercadante songs with Nelly Miricioiu, Yvonne Kenny and other soloists for Opera Rara.

Masterclasses and vocal workshops dealing with style, interpretation and vocal technique, as well as guest professorships and teach ing residencies throughout Europe, Japan, USA and Australasia feature largely in his current professional activities.