Born in 1978 in Valais, Switzerland, David Rey fell in love with the trombone at the age of 12 and joined the "Ancienne Cécilia" band of Chermignon, his native alpine village.​

After completing a degree in socio-economics, he pursued trombone studies with Roland Schnorhk and later Andrea Bandini at the Geneva Conservatory of Music (today's HEM). In 2001, He earned his master’s degree in solo performance, graduating with the highest distinction followed by a master in orchestral performance (2002) and a master of Arts in Music Pedagogy (2003).

A laureate of several awards, including the Ernst Göhner and Irene Dénériaz foundations, he distinguished himself in numerous competitions: Valais Champion (1995), Swiss national trombone champion (1996), and first prize with distinction from Jeunesses Musicales Switzerland (1996).

Internationally, he was a semifinalist at the Porcia Competition (Italy, 2000) and first prizewinner in Riddes (Switzerland, 2003).

As an orchestral musician, David has collaborated with ensembles across Switzerland and abroad — from Lausanne to Berlin, from Seoul to Brussels — under the baton of world-renowned conductors including James Levine, Kurt Masur, Mstislav Rostropovich, Valery Gergiev, Charles Dutoit, and Misha Tabachnik.

His professional career began as an apprentice with the Biel Symphony Orchestra (2001–2002), followed by regular membership in the Verbier Festival Orchestra (2002–2007). He then served as principal trombone of the Durban Philharmonic Orchestra (South Africa, 2003–2004), where he also taught at the University of Natal. After an interim contract at the Malmö Opera (Sweden, 2006), David was appointed solo trombonist of the Brussels Philharmonic, a position he held from 2008 to 2023.

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Currently dividing his time mainly between Brussels and Switzerland, David enjoys a multifaceted career. He performs as a soloist in a wide range of settings — from recitals with piano to trombone choirs, brass bands, and symphony orchestras — and is also an active chamber musician, notably as a founding member of the Geneva Brass, a swiss based brass Quintet since 2001.

Numerous works have been dedicated to him, which he has premiered with great dedication. Open-minded and versatile, he also delights in performing transcriptions of repertoire not originally intended for trombone.

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A passionate educator since the age of 17, David has taught students ranging from young beginners to professionals. He has held teaching positions at the Haute École de Musique de Lausanne in 2012–2013 and, since 2018, at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he shares his extensive professional experience.

Through masterclasses and lectures across Europe and beyond, he has earned an international reputation as a pedagogue.

In close collaboration with Servette-Music Geneva, home of the Hagmann system, David has been actively involved in research and development, contributing to the design and prototyping of new innovations — most recently, a dependent double-valve system for tenor trombone.

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David Rey is as a Bach Artist since 2014.

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