David Helfrich, french horn player, graduated from Eastman School of Music in 1955 with a degree in music education and later played in the Buffalo Philharmonic and Indianapolis Symphony. After 3 years in the Air Force, he moved to Tampa and was principal horn in the Tampa Philharmonic and St. Petersburg Symphony. At this time he was also music and band director at Palm Harbor School.
David earned his PhD in Educational Psychology and taught at Pasco Hernando State College for 23 years, retiring in 1997. He has played in many musical groups throughout the years and besides enjoying his time in the Brass Ring, he is beginning his 32nd year in the Tampa Bay Symphony. Dave is currently is a member of 2 other brass quintets, 2 instrumental groups, a horn quartet, a woodwind quintet, a jazz band, a trio, and a recorder group. In his spare time, David, 89, enjoys practicing meditation, tai chi, working out at the gym and watching sports.