Don was born in Detroit Michigan where he began studying the Accordion at age 5. A few years later his family moved to Los Angeles, where he continued his musical studies. In high school he started studying the Alto Saxophone and later added the Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, and English Horn. At California State University Northridge, he majored in Clarinet Performance. He attended the Navy School of Music in Washington D.C. while in the Army.

After Military service he toured for 9 years with bands such as Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, and the Canadian Rock Band Lighthouse. He settled in Toronto, Canada where he has worked as a multi- woodwind instrumentalist and freelance musician. He has played in the pit orchestra for more than 20 productions in Toronto and Stratford, Ontario, and recorded for film, radio, and TV. He has played on more than 40 recordings, including two Grammy nominations and three platinum records.