David Ernst (1945-2020) had an extensive and varied background in the music field. His compositions have been performed worldwide, he wrote music for television and radio (MTV and WABC), and he created "sound environments" for painter, Ernest Garthwaite.

David's music has been broadcast across the globe, including the National Radio of Argentina, Radio ROKS in Moscow, and the Foundation Gaudeamus in the Netherlands. His recordings include Four Preludes for Piano (Jeff Jacob, pianist, Contemporary American Eclectic Music for the Piano, Ariel Records, 1995), Crossover for Orchestra (Slovak Radio Symphony, MMC New Century - Volume 1, 1995), and Exit for Trumpet and Tape (Jack Logan, trumpet, New Music for Trumpet, Orion, 1972). He was also pianist for the Crown Heights Affair Sure Shot album (De-Lite, 1979). David wrote two songs and three string arrangements for jazz pianist Mark Adams' CD Aesticitism (MCC Recordings).

Earning his PhD in Music Composition from Rutgers University in 1978, David taught composition, computer music and music theory at York College, (CUNY)