
Biography
Dave Calkins works in a diverse mixture of art forms including music, film, photography, visual arts, and publishing. He is active as a virtuoso guitarist, singer, conductor, and composer. He is owner and CEO of the production and distribution company Ancova International and also is publisher/editor of the online publication Pousto Media which covers the Arts, Culture, Health, and the Environment.
As a singer, he has performed on National Public Television, National Public Radio, on more than two dozen recordings, and has performed nationally. He was a leading singer for a world premiere performance featuring the internationally acclaimed Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. He was featured as a singer and conductor on the album “Grand Opera on the Great Plains” at the NAMM conference in Los Angeles. He performed a solo concert at the National Choral Conductors Conference in Jackson Hole Wyoming and was leading tenor at the Denver Opera Company. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music with renowned tenor Charles Bressler and subsequently with Metropolitan Opera tenor and Grammy award winner George Shirley.
As a conductor, he has performed at the National Conductors Conference in the first staged performance of the choral opera “Wind in the Willows” by John Rutter and was featured on National Public Radio with the Scottsbluff Chamber Ensemble. He conducted numerous concerts with Orchestra 21 and produced recordings and videos with that group. He conducted an album of opera arias that was featured by the Yamaha corporation and is currently conductor of the Ancova International Orchestra which records film soundtracks using acoustic and electronic instruments.
As a composer/arranger/performer he has produced works across multiple genres. His output includes songs, film scores, operas, stage shows, and arrangements. He brings an eclectic blend of forms to his compositions and arrangements and expresses his respect for a variety of styles which include western classical, Asian classical, jazz, rock, blues, folk, and flamenco. He has released more than two dozen recordings as a solo artist, collaborator, and producer. His music has been featured numerous times on National Public Radio, National Public television, dozens of recordings, and in multiple concerts. He has performed three times at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, twice as guitarist-composer and once to debut his original musical theater work "Precipice," in September 2008.
As a filmmaker/photographer/visual artist, he has directed, produced, written and composed music for more than two dozen films. He creates feature films, experimental films, and music films. His first film “Wilderness Journeys” was shown in continuous rotation on National Public Television from 2001-2004 and played in all 50 states and the Virgin Islands. His other music films include "Journey to the Passage," which was partially shot in Yellowstone Park, and "Music of the Isles," which was filmed in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. He produced and composed music for Dr. Anne Talbot's film "Bosnian Spring: Transformation of Cleansing," which was shot in Sarajevo and debuted at the International Seminar on Psychological Trauma at the University of Denver. His first feature film “Alexandra the Great" was released in 2005. His feature “Debut the Road to Carnegie Hall” was the first film to ever be released at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and he was featured in performance at that event. He also creates experimental films which display graphic images, photography, and abstract video combined with music. He was founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Ancova Empowerment Project from 2015 until 2022, and produced multiple film and music projects with at-risk young people for that organization. He has created thousands of paintings, drawings, graphic works, and sculptures that often appear
in his films.
In 2018 he started the online publication Pousto Media which covers the Arts, Culture, Health and the Environment. Pousto features award winning writers and journalists that explore current events and trends.
The Glen..."a fine achievement"
Brandon Nelson Scottsbluff Star Herald
"There is much beautiful singing on this album"
Grammy award winning singer George Shirley
"David Calkins sang with power and conviction"
Denver Post

IN THE NEWS
AEP Featured in
Hear Nebraska



Current Releases
We Are Not Alone
We are Not Alone is a book of wildlife photographs by musician/filmmaker/photographer Dave Calkins. Each photograph has an accompanying haiku that describes the experience of seeing the animal and taking the photograph. Compiled over a three-year period, this hardcover book is perfect for a coffee table or personal library.
Verified Customer Review
“Just an amazing collection of work—very meaningful, beautiful poems. Love the pictures too. What a gift to treasure for your family and especially grandchildren. A well-written poem can capture such depth of feeling, saying what normal language is sometimes hard pressed to communicate. Love your connections to the natural world. Your poems are pure genius.”
Alexandra the Great (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
This the soundtrack to Dave Calkins' 2005 feature film "Alexandra the Great". The film is about the adventures of a young girl who lives in a world of imagination. All actors and musicians featured in this film were students of Dave Calkins.
The Corridor
The Corridor a film with music by Dave Calkins Digital images Music composition Soundtrack engineered by Dave Calkins Edited by Tim Ostdiek Music performed on acoustic and electronic instruments by the Ancova International Orchestra Conducted by Dave Calkins. The images in this film were created using an invented process called digital dry printing. The music for this film was composed using a numerical interval system, that when layered, generates layers of numbers in a Fibonacci Sequence.
FILM
Feature
Alexandra the Great
This is Dave Calkins' 2005 feature film "Alexandra the Great". The film is about the adventures of a young girl who lives in a world of imagination. All actors and musicians featured in this film were students of Dave Calkins.
Debut: A Road to Carnegie Hall
This documentary by filmmaker/musician Dave Calkins shows preparation and rehearsals for the debut performance at Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie of flutist Elise Carter. Also featured are sax player Matt Demerit and guitarist Dave Calkins in rehearsal sequences. This film was shot in 2005 and released at a subsequent Carnegie performance by the trio in 2006.
Alexandra the Great - Trailer
This is the original trailer for Dave Calkins' 2005 feature film "Alexandra the Great". The film is about the adventures of a young girl who lives in a world of imagination. All actors and musicians featured in this film were students of Dave Calkins.
Dark Side of the Goose
"Dark Side of the Goose" is a rock opera written by Dave Calkins with libretto/book by Calkins and Joey Taylor. It is a comedy/drama based on characters from the classic Mother Goose stories combined with characters from pop/rock culture. This performance took place on March 7th, 2009 at the Midwest Theater, Scottsbluff Nebraska. Dave Calkins conducts Orchestra 21 in the performance.
Bosnian Spring
In 2004 psychologist Anne Talbot traveled to Sarajevo to film a short documentary that explored the city and the surrounding area ten years after the war. She produced a film essay about tragedy, suffering, and ultimately about the striving for healing and peace. Produced and music by Dave Calkins.
Music/Experimental
The Corridor
The Corridor is a film with music by Dave Calkins Digital images. Music composition Soundtrack engineered by Dave Calkins. Edited by Tim Ostdiek. Music performed on acoustic and electronic instruments by the Ancova International Orchestra Conducted by Dave Calkins. The images in this film were created using an invented process called digital dry printing. The music for this film was composed using a numerical interval system, that when layered, generates layers of numbers in a Fibonacci Sequence.
Music of the Isles
This is musician and filmmaker Dave Calkins’ scenic journey through England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales featuring traditonal Celtic music performed by Orchestra 21. Film directed and orchestra conducted by Dave Calkins.
Journey to the Passage
"Journey to the Passage: An Adventure of the Spirit" is composer/filmmaker Dave Calkins' full album-length music video which was shot partially in mid-winter in Yellowstone Park. It features progressive acoustic rock music inspired by flamenco, jazz and the classical music of India. Originally released in 2003.
Quiet Maelstom
Quiet Maelstom is a digital storyboard created for a feature film that was never completed. It is the story of a young boy who is blessed or cursed with an extremely rare brain disorder called Absolute Insight. The boy has the ability to look into any person’s face and see the truth of who that person is. Superficially ugly people can become beautiful and people with surface beauty can appear to be monstrous. The music and the drawings for the film are by Dave Calkins. The Classic rock band Blue Finnegan recorded the single “Look Away” for the completed feature film, but gave permission for it to be used in this short film.
Into the Next Dimension
This is a live concert filmed in 2003 in Scottsbluff Nebraska. "Into the Next Dimension" was composed by guitarist/composer Dave Calkins and performed on tour with Flutist Elise Carter in 2002. Calkins and Carter subsequently performed together twice at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Odyssey Sympohny
“Odyssey Symphony” was filmed by Dave Calkins over a ten year period starting in 2006. The symphonic/electronic musical score was completed in 2018 and recorded with the Ancova International Orchestra in 2019. It includes footage shot in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, Texas, British Columbia, Hawaii, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The film features a variety of wildlife including orca, black bears, grizzlies, mountain goats, mountain sheep, a variety of birds, deer, and elk. Very rare footage of a cinnamon black bear killing an elk is included. Says Calkins, “My film is reminiscent of Godfrey Reggio’s Koyaanisqatsi, though not inspired by that film. This film continues and expands the tradition of some of my other films including, “Wilderness Journeys”, “Journey to the Passage”, and “Music of the Isles”. The music is adventurous and includes passages inspired by minimalism, twelve-tone composition, Baroque polyphony, traditional western classical music, the classical music of India, and jazz.”
Music
Biography
Biography
Alexandra The Great -Soundtrack
Homage
Ancient Shadows
Classical Steel
All Through the Night
Songs of Love
Grand Opera on the Great Plains
An Offering of Elizabethan Rock
Into The Next Dimension
The Glen
Student Collaborations
Ancova Empowerment Project Films
Expedition On The Road
Discography//Filmography
Partial Listing

Dark Side of the Goose
Music theater work
by Dave Calkins with Orchestra 21
(cd/dvd)
Full Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfk_BuqSIhA
Soundtrack: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-side-of-the-goose/id452015202

Quiet Maelstrom
film of graphic art with music
by Dave Calkins with Orchestra 21
(dvd)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbZLkJeYIEE&feature=youtu.be

Journey to the Passage

Into the Next Dimension
Concert film and studio recording
by Dave Calkins with flutist Elise Carter
(cd/dvd)

Documentary film
by Dave Calkins featuring flutist Elise Carter
(dvd)
Debut: The Road to
Carnegie Hall

Alexandra the Great
Film
by Dave Calkins, music by Dave Calkins, performed with Orchestra 21
(cd/dvd)
Tailor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okopdIlwDds
Full Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox3v1TxBt0I&feature=youtu.be

Bosnian Spring:
Transformation of
Cleansing

Battle For Light
Film
by Dave Calkins and the Dave Calkins Film
and Music Workshop
(dvd)
Wilderness Journeys
Film with music
by Dave Calkins
(cd/dvd)
Image Coming Soon

Expedition 1
Live concert
by Dave Calkins performed with Expedition
(cd/dvd)

Expedition 2
Live Concert
by Dave Calkins performed with Expedition
(cd/dvd)

Expedition 3
Live concert
by Dave Calkins performed with Expedition
(dvd)

Expedition 4
Live Concert
by Dave Calkins performed with Expedition
(dvd)

Expedition 5
Live concert
by Dave Calkins, performed with Expedition
(dvd)

Expedition 6
Live Concert
by Dave Calkins performed with Expedition
(dvd)

Expedition 7
Live Concert
by Dave Calkins performed with Expedition
(dvd)

Expedition 8
Soundtrack recording for film "Both Sides
of Midnight"
by Dave Calkins performed with Expedition
(cd)

Exploration 1
Studio recording
by Dave Calkins with Exploration
(cd)

Studio recording
by Dave Calkins with Exploration
(cd)
Exploration 2

Studio recording
by Dave Calkins with Exploration
(cd)
Exploration 4
Image Coming Soon
Exploration 3
Studio recording
by Dave Calkins with Exploration
(cd)

Music of the Isles
music film
New Voices, Orchestra 21
Conducted by Dave Calkins
(cd/dvd)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELZhMIC2Pw&feature=youtu.be

Exploration 5
Studio recording
by Dave Calkins with Exploration
(cd)

Variations on a Theme 2
Classic Rock
by Orchestra 21,
Conducted by Dave Calkens
(cd/dvd)

Variations on a Theme 1
Classical music
by Orchestra 21, Conducted by Dave Calkins
(cd/dvd)




Grand Opera on the
Great Plains
Variations on a Theme 3
Classic Rock, live concert
By Orchestra 21 With flutist Elise Carter
Conducted by Dave Calkins
Studio recording
sung and conducted by Dave Calkins
with Orchestra 21
(cd)

Distant Self
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Chronicle
by Dave Calkins, lyrics by Anne Talbot
(cd)
Hannah's Suit
by Dave Calkins
(cd)

December Reflections
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Image Coming Soon
Denver Opera Presents
Highlights from Grand Opera
Denver Opera Company
Conducted by Nicholas Laurienti
(cd)



Requiem for the
Twentieth Century
by Dave Calkins
(cd)

Sacred Classics
Scottsbluff Chamber Ensemble
Conducted by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Time
A Christmas Tradition
Image Coming Soon
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Song of the Voyage
of Light
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Image Coming Soon
Songs of the West
by Dave Calkins
(cd)

Song of the Wolf
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Image Coming Soon
Songs of Love
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Image Coming Soon
Lovesongs
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Not Avaliable
A Christmas Celebration

Precipice
by Dave Calkins
(film)
Production has been halted pending additional funding

Classical Steel
by Dave Calkins
and Joe Sample
(cd)

All Through the Night
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Not Avaliable
by Dave Calkins
(cd)
Great Hymns of the Faith

An Offering of
Elizabethan Rock
music by Dave Calkins
lyrics by Elizabeth Poets
(cd)

Expedition on the Road
by Dave Calkins
(cd/dvd)

Ancient Shadows
by Dave Calkins
(cd)

The Glen
by Dave Calkins
with Carol Calkins
(cd)
Tour
“Stories Behind the Songs”
Bronson Gallery at West Nebraska Arts Center
Scottsbluff, NE
March 24th at 7:00PM
Admission is free with a suggested donation to West Nebraska Arts Center.
A reception will follow the concert in the main gallery
Sponsored by Ancova International


