David has received performances of more than fifty original works and arrangements in multiple concerts across the Eastern United States and abroad. They have received premiers by groups such as Mount Vernon Chamber Singers, Eastman Tuba-Mirum, Tarleton State University Wind Ensemble, the West Virginia University Horn Ensemble, Georgia Intermediate Mixed All-State Choir 2007, the Oak Ridge Youth Symphony Orchestra, the University of Miami Frost Chorale and Mancini Orchestra, the University of Tennessee Chamber Singers and New Music Orchestra, and others.

David’s instrumental music has been described as “short and sassy on one hand and smart and boldfaced on the other” (Becky Ball, Oak Ridger). Their choral repertoire is respected for its “uncanny sense of the marriage of text and music” (Dr. Angela Batey, University of Tennessee), with “rollicking, Celtic-tinged melodies” (Lawrence Budmen, South Florida Classical Review).

Specializing in sacred choral music and instrumental chamber music, David’s influences are very diverse—citing Appalachian bluegrass, Renaissance church music, hard rock, Irish folk dances, and EDM. Their compositional philosophy stems from the belief that any writing technique is worth using, and that the strongest music often merges progressive and innovative practices with long-standing traditions, creating a synthesis that at once challenges the audience and gives them a sense of familiarity.

David (known as “Dr. Pegel” while on campus) works as part of the Fairfax County Public Schools system in Northern Virginia. They serve currently as the director of the middle school and high school choir program at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

Before moving to Virginia, David was an Assistant Professor of Music Composition and Technology at Kennesaw State University in the Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music. Their teaching repertoire included courses in composition, scoring for media, notation and production software, and theory/aural skills classes.

David previously worked as a lecturer at the University of Miami Frost School of Music as one of the development leaders for Frost’s Experiential Music Curriculum, which focuses on bringing music theory practically into ensemble performances through improvisation and composition. They also taught Theory Fundamentals for music minors and musical theatre students, as well as Advanced Counterpoint for graduate students. David was regularly praised for his enthusiastic classroom demeanor, encouragement of open dialogue during lectures, and catering to a wide variety of skill sets and learning styles.

David has taken a particular interest in the education of young musicians at the middle and high school level throughout their career. While in Miami, they served as a theory teacher for the Frost Preparatory Academy, teaching music theory and aural skills to middle and high school students. They also work regularly as a clinician helping with band camps and teaching introductory lessons for brass instruments.

David also served as Dean of Musicians for Miami Music Project, an El Sistema organization, which provides free private lessons and ensemble memberships to students in the underprivileged areas of Miami. In this role, David helped to recruit players, took an additional role in ensemble directing and sectional leading, and even played timpani and percussion with the honors orchestra during understaffed rehearsals.

In addition to traditional lecture settings, David also teaches private lessons in theory and composition for high school students, offers individual and group theory tutoring for undergraduate and graduate students, and serves as a coach for aural skills development. Areas of focus for composition lessons include motivic development, orchestration, text setting, and expansion of repertoire knowledge.