Official qualifications

• 125-hour, ICF (International Coaching Federation) credentialed training program in Life and Engagement Coaching from Anne Arundel Community College (Jan 2025 – Dec 2025)
• Over 50 additional peer-to-peer coaching hours (2025-2026)
• Ten additional hours of mentorship with ICF-certified mentor coaches (2025-2026)
• 7-week training in Positive Intelligence through the PQ Coaching Grant Program (2025)

Through my program at AACC, I was trained in foundational coaching skills, such as:

• Active, intuitive listening
• Powerful questions
• Reframing and perspective-shifting
• Structures and accountability
• Emotional attunement

However, I consider my previous professional experience, and personal life experience, to be my biggest sources of training. 

My background as a music teacher

Prior to training as a coach, I have been working as a private music instructor for the past 20 years, guiding students of all ages towards their creative goals.

Teaching is coaching: it requires building authentic connections and relationships, listening deeply, adapting to different personality types and cognitive styles, providing guidance, encouragement, and motivation, helping students work through mental and emotional barriers, helping them identify and work towards goals, breaking down goals into weekly practice assignments, providing structure and accountability, and so much more. 

One of the beautiful things about music is that it develops the whole person, calling upon the mind, body, and heart. In my work as a music teacher, I have helped students develop technical/physical abilities, cognitive skills, attention, self-awareness, self-discipline, emotional expression, and creativity. It has been amazing to walk alongside my students as they are stretched to new capacities by the growth of learning music.

Personal experience

In my late teens, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder which causes joint instability and chronic pain. As a budding professional musician, this physical impediment forced me to confront questions of identity, purpose, meaning, suffering, and happiness.

Around the same time, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which comes with its own set of challenges and differences. Trying to navigate life with a body and brain that are so different from “factory settings” has made self-development a primary focus in my life, immersing me in topics such as:

• Uncertainty and change
• Finding life direction
• Loss of identity
• Letting go vs. holding on
• Passion vs. limitations

On an everyday practical level, I’ve done a lot of work on:

• Identifying my true values and desires
• Getting into action
• Time management
• Building structures and habits
• Learning to appreciate and lean on my gifts and strengths
• Balancing self-discipline and authenticity
• Balancing thinking and feeling
• Executive functioning challenges

Testimonials

“Every time I get coaching from David, I’m able to expand my mind and shift my perspective. His calming, curious nature provides a safe place for exploration and growth. I always leave a coaching session with an impactful action item for my life or a profound question to ponder. I highly recommend him for anyone looking for a thoughtful, creative, curious, and engaged coach that can really change the trajectory of your life.”

-Ryan W.

“Coaching with David is always a positive experience for me. I appreciate the environment he creates and the space he holds for me to resolve my anxiety. Definitely do recommend!”

-Nuwra A.

“David is a resourceful, creative, very gentle coach. He helped me with the goal of finishing a dreaded task that I kept procrastinating. By asking powerful questions, and being present for me as a client, after a few sessions, I found myself effortlessly able to go through the block.” 

-Jill S.

“During our dialogues, David is attuned to extracting key words, themes, and phrases that dial in on the depth of coaching topic.  His superpower is his gifted use of visualization to bring clarity and forward momentum.” 

-Michelle C.

“Having David as a coach has helped me gain valuable perspective in areas where I felt stuck. His calm and gentle presence creates a comfortable atmosphere and a safe space to explore his thoughtful, thought-provoking questions without feeling any judgment. I’ve truly appreciated his supportive energy—it has given me the space and confidence to move forward. Working with him has been genuinely uplifting, leaving me feeling more empowered and excited about my path ahead.”

-S. K.

“David is a thoughtful and caring coach! When I have to talk through my issues he allows me time to process, not rushing through, but ensuring that first I am heard and second that he offers thought provoking questions that genuinely helps me see my challenges through a different lens that helps me grow. 

David is an empathetic coach who always made me feel competent and capable. He never made me feel judged, but allowed me to control the direction of the sessions, while both keeping me on track and ensuring we always left with a goal to reach.  

David is a great coach and if you are looking for someone who is going to patiently listen to you, ask thought provoking questions, and yet gently challenge you to grow, then David is well worth your time. I couldn’t recommend him enough.”

-Nick P