David Wahler is an American new age musician and composer, born in July 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, and currently residing in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Wahler's musical journey began at the tender age of seven when he started playing the piano by ear. His early talent was nurtured through numerous summer music clinics and academies at various universities, leading him to study piano performance at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and Mannes College of Music in New York. Following his formal education, he took on the role of musical director Off Broadway, marking the start of his professional career.
From a young age, it was evident that music would play a significant role in Wahler's life. However, his creative pursuits extended beyond music; he also built a successful career in interior design. Today, these diverse talents converge in a dynamic array of new music projects and curated playlists.
Wahler's childhood was marked by an extraordinary ability to play a wide range of tunes on the piano, an unexpected gift for his parents, who had more traditional careers—his father was an electrical engineer, and his mother a homemaker responsible for raising David and his five siblings. His self-taught skills earned him formal lessons, during which he recognized the need to "unlearn" some of his early habits. His dedication to music led him to participate in summer music clinics and university programs, where he garnered several first-place awards, gaining recognition as a young musician.
In his own words, he reflects on his journey: “After I studied piano performance at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and Mannes School of Music in New York, I found myself in the world of classical recitals, chamber music, and vocal accompaniment. Having moved to New York, I began working Off Broadway in theater, serving as musical director, arranger, and composer of several productions.”
Upon returning to the Chicago area, Wahler experienced a pivotal moment of spiritual self-discovery. He recognized the importance of sharing his musical gifts with others, leading him to teach music appreciation to disadvantaged and handicapped children through programs like Camp Sunshine/National Arts for the Handicapped. Although fulfilling, he eventually realized that his charitable work could not sustain him financially, prompting a successful career in interior design. He graduated from the Design Institute of San Diego and, alongside a partner, operated several retail gift shops in cities such as Chicago, Boulder, San Diego, and Palm Springs. After retiring from this field four years ago, he shifted his focus back to music.
In recent years, Wahler returned to his first passion, embracing the dream of making music not just a career but a central part of his life. This resurgence of interest has allowed him to create beautiful soundscapes, drawing on his extensive business experience to enhance both the commercial and critical reception of his work.
Wahler's debut album, Antiquus, was released in 2009 and received critical acclaim. This was followed by several other albums, including A Star Danced, Secret Dream, Becoming Bliss: One Hour Series, and Spiritus. With the release of his sixth album, Mosaic, in 2018, he is poised for broader recognition, continuing to develop melodic keyboard soundscapes that blend classic new age elements with modern electronics and high-quality production.
Mosaic was also nominated for Album of the Year. Reviewer Bill Binkelman noted that “David Wahler reaches a new pinnacle in his artistry of crafting emotionally rich, serenely flowing, and gently rhythmic electronic music soundscapes that intermix new age music elements from the classic period of late '80s and early '90s with a more contemporary aspect and state-of-the-art production quality.”
Reflecting on a chance encounter from his past, Wahler recalls a woman who first recognized his musical talent and asked, “Where did you learn how to do that?” He muses that he might now answer, “I didn't learn how to do it. It was a gift which was given to me by Spirit.” Wahler's aspiration is to share this gift with others, aiming to transform emotions and enrich lives through his music.
