David Ford has been a recognizable voice of the arts in the Triad for nearly two decades on 88.5 WFDD, Public Radio for the Piedmont. His association with the Winston-Salem Symphony began in 2004, when as a classical music announcer, he interviewed conducting candidates for the orchestra following the retirement of Maestro Peter Perret. His sharing of their biographies and musical approaches with WFDD listeners prompted a daily broadcast series, Triad Arts, which eventually became an award-winning program that aired until 2016.
Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It’s Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. David continues presenting classical music to new audiences as the producer of Kairoff at the Keyboard which airs locally and is distributed by PRX.
As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas.
David’s love of music runs deep. As a child growing up in La Crosse, Wisconsin, he participated in bands, orchestras, and choirs. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in clarinet performance at Northwestern University, where he also studied composition and jazz arranging. After college, David enjoyed a career as a principal clarinetist in orchestras throughout the interior of Mexico. He still performs clarinet and a variety of other instruments as a member of Eklektikos.
David has written national features for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.
In his spare time, David enjoys playing tennis, writing and recording music, and quality family time with his wife, violinist Jacqui Carrasco and their thirteen-year-old son, Rafa.
