David Schinbeckler is a musician, carpenter, and writer living with his partner, Marg, in his owner-built home near Mindemoya, on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada.
Dave grew up in northern Indiana, in a family obsessed with art, music, and fast cars. He took up the oboe at age nine and at age eleven was accepted at the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, where his talent earned him several scholarships to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy. He graduated with honors in 1970.
After two forgettable years at Wabash College, Dave moved to Bloomington, Indiana, became engrossed in the burgeoning music scene there, and learned the fundamentals of studio recording over the shoulder of Interlochen classmate Mark Hood at Gilfoy's Sound Studios. He supported himself with a brisk business in guitar repair, and later as a sound reinforcement tech for The Screaming Gypsy Bandits, Felix, Return to Forever, and the Billy Cobham - George Duke Band.
In 1976 Dave and his wife Kate moved to Manitoulin Island, where he was employed by Cambrian College to teach instrumental music in the public school system.
Dave has written for The Manitoulin Expositor, Chatelaine Magazine, and CBC Radio. He has been retired for ten years now and enjoys carpentry, writing, and cruising the North Channel of Lake Huron with his partner Marg.