David Kobberdahl grew up in West Des Moines where he graduated from Valley High School in 1983. He received his undergraduate degree from Truman State in 1988 and later earned his Master's from VanderCook School of Music.

After college, David spent his first year working with Willie Thomas, his lifelong mentor and teacher, to establish the Des Moines Community Jazz Center. The CJC remains a vital source of support and opportunity for young musicians to learn and perform jazz across the Des Moines metro area and nearby rural communities. In 2018, David was honored as a Community Jazz Center Hall of Fame recipient.

David taught for seven years at Woodward-Granger and for twenty-six years in West Des Moines Community Schools. His jazz bands achieved numerous accolades at jazz festivals across the midwest, including the Iowa Jazz Championships. Additionally, he served on the faculty of summer jazz camps at Simpson College, University of Northern Iowa, and Southwestern Community College.

Though retired from public school teaching, David remains in high demand as a judge, clinician, and guest artist. He continues to perform professionally and has recorded several CDs with groups including The Des Moines Big Band, Ashanti, Gabriel Espinosa, and various others.

David and his wife Jerilyn, also a retired band teacher, have two daughters, Taylor and Samantha.