David is known as a Cape Breton fiddle whisperer for his in-depth teaching of that elusive style. He co-authored The DunGreen Collection (1996), an influential treatise on Cape Breton fiddling. He is also a composer and arranger. Many of his tunes have been recorded by Cape Breton musicians such as Buddy MacMaster, Carl MacKenzie, Jerry Holland, and The Rankins. David is also a Baroque violinist. His fluency in these two genres make him uniquely qualified to interpret the wild music of 18th-century Scotland.
He has recorded over 80 CDs with many collaborators including Chris Norman, Suzie LeBlanc, Doug MacPhee, and numerous ensembles, as well as three groundbreaking Scottish-Cape Breton-Baroque recordings with his own ensemble Puirt A Baroque in the 1990s. David offers a monthly online Cape Breton teaching workshop called the Hobbit House Session as well as intensive online courses.
