Blair Master Series: David Samuel, viola
With a vast global performance history—including an eight-year tenure with the Afiara Quartet and four years with the Alexander String Quartet—Samuel is a uniquely gifted live performer, acclaimed for his musicality and emotional delivery.
Monday, February 23, 2026 | Turner Recital Hall | 7:30 p.m.
Purchase Tickets: http://blair.live/022326-tix
About David Samuel:
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, 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.
His 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.
Firmly established as a chamber musician, he has performed in renowned venues around the world, 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.
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.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3406822-0
