David W. Kanter is a world percussionist and a doctorate-seeking ethnomusicologist at the Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland. David is not from Belfast: he grew up in Tampa, Florida. But one day, he decided he would study ethnomusicology in Belfast, Ireland. The rest, as they say, was just details.

David’s goal, simply, is to heal the world through music. You’d have to know David to know how very like him that is. Moreover, he’s currently developing the research to actually bring his vision to life.

I have never met a person who didn’t think David was a human being working on an entirely higher level than the rest of us. His compassion, his intelligence, and his general love for people is contagious. Through his own force of will, David makes you believe in the goodness of humanity.

We need people like that in this world. I just happen to be the lucky one who has one in his life.

I can’t tell you where David became my best friend. I can tell you a very funny story as to when I think it happened, but I can’t tell it here.

I only know somewhere along the line David and I sort of took responsibility for each other. We’ve made the hard phone calls nobody else can make (and remain your friend), we’ve laughed to the point of physical pain. David has shepherded me through some of the most intense periods of my life, professionally and personally, and I’d like to think I’ve done the same for him.

David is one of the signs, for me, that proves the Universe really is looking out for you in the long run. I have no doubt I wouldn’t be where I am now without his guidance.

But if he gets to do a TEDTalk before I do (which is looking more likely by the day) I will kill him.