UBU Staff BIOS: David simmons
David Simmons: Founder, Creative Director, Teaching Artist
An honors graduate of the University of Montana School of Music, David’s diverse career as an educator, performer, producer, recording artist, inspirational speaker and mental health advocate has taken him to all 50 states, 14 countries and 3 continents. He has served as Education Director and Teaching Artist for Arizona Broadway Theater (Phoenix, AZ), Fort Peck Fine Arts Council (Glasgow, MT), Desert Foothills Theater (Scottsdale, AZ) and as a Teaching Artist for Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center (Phoenix, AZ), Child’s Play Theater (Mesa, AZ) and the Missoula Children’s Theater (Multiple International Residencies). Additional teaching experience includes residencies with the University of Montana (Missoula, MT), Casper College (Casper, WY) and Estrella Mountain Community College (Phoenix, AZ).
Training and Honors: David continued his vocal studies with Kammer Sänger Otto Edelman of the Vienna Statsöper and jazz theory and bass with Dartanyan Brown of Chase, Phoebe Snow and Sly and the Family Stone. He was nominated for the Arizona Governor's Arts Award in Arts Education and has also served on the Arizona Department of Education Arts and Culture Advisory Board.
David has performed live with Alice Cooper, Dash Cooper, The Solid Rock House Band and members of REO Speedwagon, A-ha, Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone, The Phoenix Symphony, The Schubert Kirche Orchester (Vienna) and has served as Music Director, Bassist and featured soloist on tour with Motown Recording Artists: The Drifters.
In addition, David is a thriving survivor of his own suicide attempts a grateful, recovering alcoholic and lives with the diagnoses of major depressive disorder recurrent and free-floating anxiety. This, in addition to his professional training and ongoing partnership with experts in childhood trauma , helps David bring a unique and hope-filled perspective and dedication to his work with The UBU Project's Social-Emotional / Prevention Residencies. Whether in a classroom, coffee shop, rock club, worship space or classical concert hall, David brings a wealth of experience, energy and encouragement to every stage, school or project he encounters. David has one adult son, Niko (currently living in St. Paul, MN) and he makes his home in the Phoenix West Valley.
ubu staff bios: Julie dauer
Julie Dauer, M. Ed.: Teacher, Curriculum Consultant
Julie received her Master’s Degree in Education (sum cum laude) from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY. She was inspired to do so having raised a child (now adult) with high functioning autism. In addition she has completed extensive research on adolescents with executive functioning disorders. She has worked as a classroom teacher, tutor and academic coach for struggling learners including students with: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, and Emotional Disabilities.
Additional Training and Certifications: Julie has earned an Arizona Professional Teacher’s Certification, K-12, Special Education with additional, extensive training in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). She also continues to develop and implement her own progressive and creative applications of educational strategies for students with executive functioning disorders through Mathematics and Writing Education.