Dave has a Bachelors' (1969) and Masters' (1976) degrees in Microbiology (Environmental Health) from Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.

His work career has been spent in community service to the citizens of Montana, working at both local and state government levels, with particular emphasis in program management and administration. After retiring from government service, he formed a private consulting firm, Thomas & Associates, Inc., specializing in project planning, startup and management. In this capacity he provided grant writing, risk identification, and work plan development for state and local governments.

Dave started learning the tuba in the mid-1980's, with a handful of lessons. After discovering the Big Brass Bash in the late 1990's was a great way to learn and improve his playing skills, he's attended almost every one since. Especially important have been meeting and talking with many professional musicians, such as Harvey Phillips, Eugene Dowling, Patrick Sheridan, Gene Pokorny, Gail Robertson and Deanna Swoboda, to name just a few.

Dave continues to play in several local groups such as the State Capital Band, Helena New Horizons Concert Band, Continental Divide Tuba Society (co-founder with Tom Mazanec), Not Quite Ripe (accordion-tuba trio), and the occasional dixieland gig (Anything Goes and Last Chance Dixieland Band).

E-mail: tubadance@mt.net