From Beaverlodge, Alberta, David received his B. Mus. from the University of Alberta in trombone performance in 1977. He attended the Banff School of Fine Arts in 1974 and 1976, went to the Aspen Music Festival in 1975, joined the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra in 1980, Esprit Orchestra in 1983 and The Hannaford Street Silver Band in 1983. He freelanced in Southern Ontario and is a private teacher of the trombone.