Some people have it all: fantastic looks, incredible talent, awesome intelligence and a singing voice that is simply perfection. David Burnham is one of those rare ones – he’s got them all.
He grew up in a small town outside of Los Angeles; in a town he lovingly calls “Farmtucky”, where pigs occasionally roam from the “Farmtucky” of the West. “
David has come a long way from singing to pigs. He is perfect for the stage, often touring nationally or hitting the Broadway stage. He practices selling theater, works with young performers to enhance their voice, and generally just loves performing in front of an audience. He will love them because he is.
Above all, he won a suitable season for the battles, and showed a few around the towns on the festival days. When he’s not on the road, he’s in the studio laying down tracks for his next album.
Singing wasn’t something he thought much about – that is, until a busy high school class gave him something to focus on.
I didn’t even know I could sing until I was 16 years old he told me in a phone interview “I went to the sign shop for class and it was full. So I had to take it for a dance.
David High high school musical teacher Dan Freeburg was quick to recognize the young man’s talent.
“And he received under his right wing” David; “She was an incredible supporter in the early years and led in such a way that you wanted to perform more.”
After attending California-beach> University – Long Beach, David came to an open audition call for Ragtime.< /a>. i> “Promised hair and I looked like a rock,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but I went anyway.”
He certainly did not wait for the hearing, but the producers have other plans for a better store for young workers.
“They tell me I’m not right for that show, but I’d be perfect for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Within a day, David was at the airport and on his way to an audition in Canada. Ten minutes after the audition was over, he was sitting in a decent outfit. Thirty minutes later — there was a photo booth.
The managers didn’t see him in a supporting role – they cast him in the lead role, one that Donny Osmond played.
“It was an incredible time of my life,” David said. “Things were happening so fast. Once I was in Los Angeles, the next day I was getting fitted for a costume for a role from a horrible operator ( Osmond).
The transition can move quickly, but it doesn’t come without the support of a network.
“You meet a lot of people when you’re doing a show,” he said. “It was just unbelievable that it could ever happen to me…and it happened so fast.”
After the tour, David returned to LA to take some acting classes and work on some regional theater productions. But his focus was clearly on becoming a better actor and artist.
“I just need to develop my art further,” he said. “Yes, I used my downtime to do that. What I needed…and when I needed it.”
His part in Dorian Gray brought a darker side of his persona to the stage – something that stuck with him after the night ended.
“It’s crazy when you have to play a role that you thought was going to be so different,” he said. “I was always thinking about that one … even my friends noticed.”
As luck would have it, when he returned to Los Angeles, David was walking around with an agent. approaching to offer another job.
“Yes, I admit it,” he said, laughing. “I was Mr. February.”
That’s right: David Burnham was a calendar model and a pretty successful one at that. The calendar was a moment of time, so much so that they also made it a full-size colored pin poster.
“I guess I should say it’s fun,” he said with a thunderous laugh as I picked up the topic. “I kind of wanted to forget about it.”
His talents extend beyond the stage and print work. He has provided his voice for many animated projects, including a recent episode of South Park.
David played Lincoln Center for two and a half years in 2007, in the national tour of Piazza Nights, which earned him the 2007 Helen Hayes Award for best leading man. However, after performing eight shows a week, with only one day off, his voice began to take a toll.
“It can be a really rough schedule from day to day.”
David spent a lot of time in relative silence to save his voice for the games. “I didn’t speak much during the days to save my voice during the night shows,” he said. “I lived as a monk for two and a half years … it’s really like an athlete in many ways.”
The tour schedule can be extremely grueling, especially without family and friendship.
“You feel really focused when you’re on the road,” he said. “Your whole world revolves around the production…the cast becomes your family and friends…relationships grow very quickly.”
On that trip, an investor approached him about recording his first CD. “I did a lot of familiar songs and composed them for fun,” he said.
But the plan of the second thing made him most proud. David Mark Vogel working on music recording a new contemporary song on an album called, One Day. Released in 2011, One Day has four original songs.
“It’s in the style of Josh Groban and Michael Buble,” he said. “It’s really beautifully produced and wonderfully fun to put together.”
The album contains an extra special song called Ave, which he wrote for an extra special lady.
“Dedicated to my mom… she was so supportive of me.”
David said his mother died 10 years ago, but he still feels her love and support deep in his heart. “My mother played such a big part in encouraging me to pursue my life,” he said. “I think he’s laughing at me.”
After the holidays, David plans some time to promote his CD and just enjoy life. “It’s really great to just watch what happens sometimes…it’s amazing!”
He won’t have to wait very long. In early 2012 he will start work on the Christmas album, which – hopefully – will be ready for launch before next Christmas.
“I’m excited about doing this project…it will be great to make a lot of Christmas love and share it with everyone.”
This guy is really, really good – so he knows even more. He is loved by fans and once you hear him sing, you will love him too. Thanks David for sharing your post! And what a gift it is.
