David Collins

Originally from Co. Kildare, David studied trumpet at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and completed an MMus in Trumpet at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin graduating with Distinction. During his studies, David won prizes including the Guinness Brass Bursary and Robert McCreath Memorial Prize and was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra touring Europe and Asia along with performances at the BBC Proms.

Since returning to Ireland, David performs and broadcasts regularly with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, RTÉ National Symphony and RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Between 2016–2018 David held the position of Second Trumpet & Principal Cornet with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast, Northern Ireland and more recently has performed with the World Orchestra for Peace.

In 2019 David was appointed as the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and coaches both the trumpet sections of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the International Trumpet Guild and was co-host of the 2021 Ellsworth Smith International Trumpet Solo Competition in Smock Alley, Theatre, Dublin.

David is the Artistic Director of Dublin Brass Week, Ireland’s international brass festival. He has additionally appeared as soloist in concerti by Haydn, Vivaldi, Neruda as well as Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no. 2.