David Snell (born 12 May, 1936) is a British harpist, composer and conductor who has worked across a wide range of genres, from jazz, pop and soundtracks through to library music and classical concert works. Snell was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire and took his first piano lessons there from local teacher Frank Rawle. He played as a pianist with the local Jimmy Carr Orchestra before leaving Grantham for National Service in 1954 with the Royal Artillery. He then studied harp with Marie Goossens.