The Author

David M. DiFilippo is the author and illustrator of “Octave Park Elementary.” He has been professionally teaching music in the South Hills of Pittsburgh since 2002 and is still actively teaching. He grew up in the Western Pennsylvania town of Spring Church where he graduated as valedictorian of Apollo-Ridge High School, class of 1997. He attended Carnegie Mellon University, studying both engineering and music for the first year. After choosing to focus on music, DiFilippo was able to continue studying trumpet with Anthony Pasquarelli and also study composition with Nancy Galbraith and conducting with Thomas Douglas. He graduated with University Honors from CMU in 2002, earning a BFA in Music Performance and Minors in Conducting and Music Education. DiFilippo has also earned professional certification from Berklee Online for Electronic Music Production and Sound Design. Currently, David lives in Western PA where he maintains a digital recording studio, working with various local artists, and writing and recording original music.