David M. Harris has been the director of The Raleigh Ringers since January 1990, when he was instrumental in the formation of the group. David is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and has studied conducting privately with Dr. William A. Payn at Bucknell University. He was the director of the handbell program at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, and has served Handbell Musicians of America in several capacities: as All-Star Conductor, CrescendoConductor, Ringing Track Conductor, Instructor for the National Seminar, North Carolina State Chairman, and as Area III Treasurer.

David chaired the national committee that planned the first Community / Professional Handbell Choir event, Pinnacle 2000, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was elected in March 2023 to a six-year term on the HMA National Board of Directors, and in July 2023, David was awarded Honorary Life Membership in HMA, the highest award presented by the organization. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art of handbell ringing.

David has led well over 200 handbell festivals and workshops in 39 states as well as in England, Singapore, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Caribbean. He has also been the primary handbell clinician for several denominational music events, including Montreat, Lake Junaluska, and Lutheridge (NC); Mo-Ranch (TX); Massanetta (VA); and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (KY). David has taken on a position as adjunct professor at Meredith College in Raleigh, where he leads the Meredith College Ringers. He serves as Honorary Consultant for Hong Kong Bronze, an advanced handbell organization in Hong Kong. He also conducts The Millbrook Ringers, an educational group sponsored by The Raleigh Ringers. He has written several articles for Overtones, the national publication of Handbell Musicians of America.

After growing up in the Northeast, David moved to Raleigh with his wife, Kristina. Dave and Kris have three grown children and two grandchildren.