Originally from Southern California, David Freeman is a classically trained tuba player whose journey from the arts to business management has been marked by resilience, strategic decision-making, and unwavering passion. In 2014, David made a pivotal move to New York City to pursue his passion for music performance at The Juilliard School. Graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 2018 and a Master of Music in 2020, David faced the daunting reality of a competitive and financially uncertain career path in the classical music industry.

During his time at Juilliard, David devoted himself to mastering the tuba audition repertoire, diligently honing his skills in preparation for auditions held across the United States each year. Despite investing substantial funds on transportation and lodging over those years, he still hadn’t won a position—an all-too-familiar narrative for countless aspiring orchestra musicians. These experiences prompted David to explore new ventures, seeking out different opportunities and avenues for his career.

Fueled by his growing fascination with the business side of the arts, David recognized the need to pivot proactively before leaving Juilliard, and landed an internship with The Metropolitan Opera, working alongside General Manager Peter Gelb. This pivotal opportunity served as the launching pad for David’s transition into a new career trajectory. Leveraging his background in music and his newfound administrative skills, David secured an entry-level position in alumni relations at Juilliard shortly after graduation. From there, he embarked on a series of strategic career moves that ultimately led him to helm several multi-million dollar business units within Equinox, a renowned luxury fitness brand, as well as creating OrchestraAuditions.com, a free auditions resource for orchestra musicians.

As David continues to flourish in his role within the business world, his journey stands as a testament to the boundless opportunities that emerge when navigating career transitions with intention and purpose. Inspired by his own experiences, David is passionate about sharing his insights and expertise to empower fellow performing artists embarking on similar paths of reinvention. Through his dedication to providing tailored career transition coaching, David aims to guide others toward fulfilling and sustainable careers beyond the stage, ensuring that their artistic talents serve as catalysts for continued growth and success in diverse professional arenas.