Dave grew up in a musical family in Madison, WI, his father  also being a drummer and drum collector. Attending the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Dave was a scholarship student, graduating with the University's honorary Performer's Certificate in 2008. In 2009, Dave was selected to attend the prestigious Ravina Stean's Instute for emerging jazz artists. He has played all over the country and the world including the Italy's Siena Jazz Fest, Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Fest, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Chicago Jazz Fest and the Ravinia Music Festival. Currently Dave lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, recording, writing, producing, and playing with a diverse mix of groups including: White Rabbits, Sky Ferreira, Diane Birch and Darren Criss.