David Downes (Irish composer)

David Downes (born 9 June 1975) is a composer, pianist, producer, and musical director who is best known for being the co-founder and musical director of the all-female Irish ensemble Celtic Woman.

David Downes was born in Dublin, Ireland. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin where he studied Music and Composition. He has performed at venues around the world, including Boston Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall and Wembley Arena, appearing with soloists James Galway and Alan Stivell, the group Boyzone, and the Washington Symphony, Moravian Philharmonic, Hollywood Studio Symphony and National Symphony orchestras. He has made recordings with Moya Brennan, Clannad, Michael Crawford, Michael W. Smith and Bill Whelan. He has acted as orchestrator for Riverdance on Broadway and Secret Garden most notably.

He joined Riverdance where he was Music Director on Broadway, as well as for the American and European touring companies. Later he and Sharon Browne formed 'Celtic Woman', which has toured across the world with platinum recordings in the USA, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and major following in Asia, Europe and South America.

He acted as musical director for Irish President Mary McAleese's Inauguration in 2004. He has performed for U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

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