Dave Shapiro Biography – Dave Shapiro Wiki

Dave Shapiro was a well-known music agent and pilot. He co-owned and co-founded Sound Talent Group (STG), a leading independent music agency with locations in New York City, Nashville, and San Diego. Additionally, he was the owner of Velocity Records Inc in San Diego, CA.

Shapiro was raised in the “straightedge hardcore” scene of upstate New York. During high school, he formed a band with his friends that was signed by Victory Records right after they graduated. They toured for a few years, during which he built connections in the music industry that aided his transition to the business side.

In 2018, Shapiro co-founded Sound Talent Group alongside seasoned talent agents Tim Borror and Matt Andersen, after their time at the Agency Group and United Talent Agency. The agency’s lineup features alternative bands across genres like pop-punk, metalcore, post-hardcore, and other popular hard rock subgenres.

According to STG website, the roster includes Pierce The Veil, Lamb of God, I Prevail, Sum 41, Hanson, Vanessa Carlton, Beartooth, Steve Vai, Movements, Clutch, Citizen Cope, Ice Nine Kills, The Front Bottoms, Killswitch Engage, Motionless In White, Story of The Year, Alexandra Kay, In This Moment, Destroy Boys, Parkway Drive, Struggle Jennings, Black Label Society, Citizen, and dozens more.

Shapiro was a strong advocate for independent musicians and a co-founder of the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO). He was included in Billboard’s 2012 “30 Under 30” list recognizing rising stars in entertainment.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Shapiro was the owner, flight instructor, and airline transport pilot at Velocity Aviation, a flight school in San Diego, CA. In 2019, he posted on Instagram that he had obtained his airline transport pilot rating, the highest level of certification issued by the U.S. He was also the owner of Velocity Records, a record label in San Diego, CA.

Dave Shapiro Age

Music talent agent Dave Shapiro was born in 1983. He died in May 2025. He was 42.

Dave Shapiro Wife

Dave Shapiro was married to Julia Pawlik Shapiro. He married his wife in 2016 in the small town of Talkeetna, Alaska. They picked up their wedding licenses, got on a plane and flew to a glacier inside Denali National Park, landing with skis strapped to the plane’s wheels.

Dave Shapiro Family

Sound Talent Group co-founder Dave Shapiro and his wife, Julia Pawlik Shapiro, owned a home in Homer, Alaska.

Death

Music agent Dave Shapiro died in a plane crash on May 22, 2025 in San Diego, California, according to his talent agency.

“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” a spokesman for Sound Talent Group said in a statement to the BBC. “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”

NITO released a statement following the tragic news via Rolling Stone: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Shapiro and his two colleagues. Dave was a visionary in the music industry and a founding partner of Sound Talent Group. His passion, dedication, and unwavering support for artists shaped the careers of countless musicians and helped elevate the live music experience for fans around the world.”

The statement continued, “As a founding member of NITO, Dave was instrumental in the initial formation and funding of the organisation and assisted countless of our peers successfully navigate the pandemic shutdown of live music. Our sincerest condolences go out to Dave’s family, friends, and everyone at STG. This is a monumental loss to our community.”