David Samuel is a violist whose love of four strings and a bow have taken him across the globe as a performer, educator, and chamber musician. A native of the Great White North, he is the violist of the Alexander String Quartet and serves as Assistant Professor of Viola at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. Before settling in Nashville, David journeyed abroad for many years, living, playing and teaching in Denmark, New York, New Zealand, Norway, San Francisco, and Toronto.
A founding member of the Afiara String Quartet, David and his colleagues quickly made their mark on the international chamber music scene, earning top prizes at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, the Banff International String Quartet Competition, and the Concert Artists Guild Competition. Their achievements also earned them the prestigious Young Canadian Musicians Award. With the Afiara Quartet, he collaborated on innovative projects that bridged classical music with new media and interdisciplinary art, reinforcing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of chamber music.
Beyond the quartet world, David has built a diverse and dynamic career. He was a member of Ensemble MidtVest in Denmark, and served as Associate Principal Viola of the Auckland Philharmonia in New Zealand. His teaching career has been just as varied, having previously held positions at the University of Stavanger in Norway, San Francisco State University, SFCM Pre-College, and the University of Auckland, where he was Convenor of Classical Performance. His passion for mentorship continues to shape the next generation of violists and chamber musicians.
Throughout his career, David has collaborated with many esteemed artists, performing chamber music alongside Sergio Azzolini, James Campbell, Colin Carr, Robert Mann, Michael Tree, Jörg Widmann, Pinchas Zukerman, and members of the Emerson and Juilliard String Quartets among others. David has taken the stage at some of the world’s most legendary concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Esterházy Palace, the Berlin Konzerthaus, the Kennedy Center, and the Library of Congress. But he’s also had a blast bringing music to some more unexpected spots—like the headquarters of LinkedIn and Meta—and even on The Late Show with David Letterman.
David’s musical education reflects his deep dedication to the art of viola and chamber music. He holds a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and an Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School, as well as an Artist Certificate in Chamber Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His teachers included Paul Hersh, Henry Janzen, Michael Tree, and Karen Tuttle, all of whom continue to influence and shape his approach to music making and teaching.
David’s discography is as varied as his musical journey, with recordings spanning early classical masterpieces to 21st-century commissions—and even fresh takes on the music of The Beatles, Sting, and Led Zeppelin. His work can be heard on Brilliant Classics, CPO, Delos, Dacapo, Etcetera, Foghorn Classics, and Naxos labels.
Despite his many musical adventures, David’s greatest joys are his wife, violinist Yuri Cho, and their senior Kiwi cat, Milo, who regularly interrupts supervises his practice sessions with great authority (and occasional judgment).