David Chafe hasn't looked back since entering the MUN School of Music as an undergraduate student in 1998. A proud native of St. John's, Newfoundland, he graduated from the Bachelor of Commerce (Cooperative) program in 1989 with a focus in accounting. Having worked for several years in that field, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of a career as a music professional. David graduated with honours in piano performance in 2002. He then immediately entered the School's new Master of Music program and was in the first graduating class in 2004. Through both music degrees, David was a student of Dr. Kristina Szutor with whom he continues to study privately. He has been a busy accompanist for many MUN School of Music students and city choirs. He is the founding accompanist for the Lady Cove Women's Choir whose self-titled debut CD "Lady Cove" was released in November 2006. Lady Cove was the winner in 2006 of the national CBC Choral Competition award for best women's choir in Canada. David is co-founder, manager, accompanist and singer with the Newman Sound men's choir, winner in 2006 of the CBC Choral Competition Galaxie Rising Star Award for best new choir in Canada. In 2006, David was invited to serve as assistant accompanist for Shallaway - Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus, specifically the Boys Chorus under the direction of Kellie Walsh. This summer he will be accompanying the Jubilate Chorus of Shallaway in Festival 500. His playing can also be heard on the St. John's gospel group Celebration CD "Bound For That City" as well as two Cantus Vocum CDs; "Choral Voyages" and "A Cantus Vocum Christmas." He is also pianist for the St. John's praise band "Foundation." In August 2007, David released "Bright and Beautiful", a collection of twelve beautiful hymns, most arranged by David, and featuring a broadly diverse gathering of some of Newfoundland's finest musicians. David was recognized by the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador as 2007 Gospel Artist of the Year for this recording. His concept of this album is to re-introduce old Christian songs with the fresh musical interpretations of great Newfoundland artists from the jazz, country, folk, musical theatre and classical genres. With Patrick Boyle (trumpet), Sandy Morris (guitar), Christina Smith (violin) and singers Shelley Neville, Julia Halfyard, Andrew Dale, Mark House, Stephan Maloney and Christopher Bowman... all with David Chafe on piano... this is a very special recording project with David's closest friends and most treasured colleagues. "Bright and Beautiful" is a follow-up to David's debut recording in 2006, "It Is Well," a compilation of fourteen old and timeless hymns especially arranged for solo piano (click here for some samples from the record). Upon release, David successfully produced, hosted and performed in a hugely successful concert with many of his musical colleagues to celebrate not only his first solo recording, but also the diversity of styles within Christian music. This recording and his work in Christian music earned David the distinction of Gospel/Christian Artist of the Year for 2006 awarded by MUSICNL. Also in August 2007, David released a CD with singer and friend Christopher Bowman entitled "Over Hill and Valley." This recording features two stunning song cycles; "Song of Travel" by Ralph Vaughan Williams based on the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson; and "Earth and Air and Rain" by Gerald Finzi based on the poetry of Thomas Hardy. David and Chris performanced in Truro, Nova Scotia and St. John's, Newfoundland in October 2007 and are planning a tour of the Atlantic Provinces in 2008. They were recognized by the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador as 2007 Classical Artists of the Year for this recording. Released in December is the Christmas CD "Midnight Clear" with singer Andrew Dale. This CD features all sacred Christmas music including beautiful renditions of "Silent Night," "In the Bleak MidWinter," "O Holy Night" and many more treasures all arranged by Bill Brennan. As an added bonus is the specially-commissioned work by world-renowned composer Stephen Hatfield entitled "How Long the Night Can Last." This album was recently very warmly received at two launch concerts in St. John's and Bay Roberts. A cross-Newfoundland tour is planned for December 2008. For two consecutive years In December 2006 and 2007, David produced, hosted and performed in a hugely successful benefit concert for the Emmaus House Food Bank, an ecumenical non-profit operation. The sold-out concert features several up-and-coming and established artists and helps to achieve the goal of keeping the doors to Emmaus House open. David serves as secretary-treasurer on the board of directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Musicians Association. He is also treasurer and board member of the St. Francis Foundation, a non-profit organization in St. John's providing residency, counselling and continuing education for troubled youth. Each year, David turns to his classical training and presents extraordinary repertoire by the best-known composers. His latest offerings have included Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", Schumann's "Carnaval" as well as selected works by Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart. He also maintains a busy private piano studio, is planning to develop a recording studio and teaches part-time at the MUN School of Music.