David Ladon

David Ladon is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, educator, and arts administrator with nearly two decades of experience in music and arts education. As a Senior Manager of Creative Youth Development at Youth on Record, David oversees the Media Arts program, including the acclaimed Podcast Production Internship and public-facing series like Youth on Rewind, Underground at the Showcase, and Backstage at the Block Party. David also runs YOR’s summer camp programming and helps manage the organization’s Youth Media Studio.

A passionate educator, David has taught in school and community settings since 2007. He began integrating radio and podcast production into his curriculum in 2014, developing community-centered programming with institutions like the Stockyard Institute, the Smart Museum of Art, and the Hyde Park Art Center.

David is also an award-winning children’s musician with the band Animal Farm and the creator of the PBS digital series Farmer Dave and Friends. He has written, produced, and performed on more than a dozen albums and EPs, and is committed to using music and media as tools for self-expression, healing, and community-building.

He holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Rochester and an M.A. in Social and Cultural Foundations in Education from DePaul University. David is based in Aurora, CO, where he enjoys cooking and gardening with his family.