Dave began drumming in 1993. In 1995 Dave began taking lessons with Michael Hunter. Shortly thereafter he joined the Metropolitan Toronto Police Pipe Band in Grade 4 and was promoted to the Grade 2 band that same year, under the direction of Lead Drummer Brian McCue. In 1997 Dave joined the Toronto Police Grade 1 band under Lead Drummer Alan Savage. He played there until beginning his undergraduate degree at University of Toronto in 2000.

In 2004, Dave joined the North Coast Pipe Band under LD Chris Barr. Between 2004 and 2006 Dave Fenton pursued instruction from Blair Brown. In 2007, Dave joined Drew Duthart’s Corps at the 78th Frasers when they won the Best Drum Corps prize at the World Pipe Band Championship. Dave continued with the 78ths until 2011 and contributed by doing sound and writing competition material throughout the 2008 and 2011 seasons. After the 2011 season he stepped away due to work commitments. Dave has been a member of the best drum corps at the North American Pipe Band Championships in Grade 2 and Grade 1, and has competed in the Grade 1 Final at the Worlds on several occasions. He was the 2000 PPBSO Champion Supreme for Grade 1 Solos. He has also been a prize winner in Open Solos.

Since 2016, Dave has been an instructor of the Middle School Arts program at St. Andrew's College in Aurora. In 2019, Dave assumed the role of Lead Drummer with the newly founded St. Andrew's College Association Pipe Band under the leadership of Pipe Major Matt Mac Isaac. The band was assigned to Grade 2 for their inaugural season.

Dave has played the electric and upright bass semi-professionally for the last 20 years.