Violist David Samuel’s musical life spans continents and prestigious ensembles, cementing his reputation as a versatile and accomplished musician. Joining the esteemed Alexander String Quartet in 2021 marked a return home to North America after many years living abroad. Before relocating to San Francisco with his wife, Yuri, and their cat, Milo, Mr. Samuel flourished in Auckland, New Zealand, serving as the Associate Principal Viola of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra while concurrently shaping young talents as the Convenor of Classical Performance at the University of Auckland.
Mr. Samuel’s international musical journey began as the founding violist of the Afiara Quartet, where his eight-year tenure witnessed more than 400 concerts worldwide, featuring hundreds of works for string quartet spanning the gamut of the repertoire. Their artistry garnered accolades, including being the inaugural recipients of the Young Canadian Musicians Award, and top prize triumphs at the prestigious ARD International Music Competition in Munich, the Banff International String Quartet Competition, and the Concert Artists Guild Competition.
Mr. Samuel has firmly established himself as a chamber musician. Apart from his string quartet endeavors, he was formerly a member of the groundbreaking Ensemble MidtVest in Denmark, and has collaborated with esteemed musicians including Sergio Azzolini, James Campbell, Colin Carr, Robert Mann, Michael Tree, Jörg Widmann, Pinchas Zukerman, and members of the Emerson and Juilliard string quartets. His chamber music performances have graced renowned venues worldwide, from Wigmore Hall and the Esterházy Palace, to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Library of Congress. Notably, his performances have transcended traditional settings, reaching diverse audiences, including appearances at the headquarters of industry giants LinkedIn and Facebook, and on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” His discography on CPO, Delos, Dacapo, Etcetera, Foghorn Classics, and Naxos reflects his ongoing dedication to artistic excellence.
Beyond his performing career, Mr. Samuel is deeply committed to education. Currently teaching at San Francisco State University, he has also held teaching positions at the University of Stavanger in Norway, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College. He has presented countless educational concerts and workshops globally and is now enjoying pivotal work with a newly founded nonprofit, ASQ Chamber Music Projects, which brings chamber music education to schools and community organizations.
Dedicated to ongoing solo and chamber music collaborations with living composers, Mr. Samuel celebrates this work by presenting world premieres through live performances and recordings. His commitment extends to his role as a faculty member at the Emerging Composers Intensive in Carmel Valley, CA each summer, where he actively nurtures the next generation of musical innovators, imparting invaluable insights and exploring the vital relationship between composer and performer.
Mr. Samuel attended The Juilliard School, where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees, as well as an Artist Diploma. He further honed his chamber music expertise at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, acquiring an Artist Certificate. His principal teachers were Paul Hersh, Henry Janzen, Michael Tree, and Karen Tuttle.