We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Freeman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I created OrchestraAuditions.com to solve the frustration I often faced as a musician—having to search multiple websites just to find open auditions. I wanted to build a centralized platform that simplifies the process and makes auditioning more accessible.

One of the initiatives I’m most passionate about is a merit-based audition reimbursement program, which is currently in development. I know from personal experience how challenging it can be for musicians to come up with the funds needed for audition travel, fees, and other expenses. There were many times when I wished I had access to more financial support during my own auditioning journey. This future program is my way of helping alleviate that burden for musicians, allowing them to focus on their craft instead of their finances.

David, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a musician, educator, and entrepreneur with a deep passion for supporting artists in their creative and professional journeys. My background as a classically trained musician has given me insight into the challenges artists face, from navigating auditions to managing career transitions. In recent years, I’ve focused on creating resources and services to make these processes easier and more accessible.

My musical journey began in elementary school, where I started with piano and trumpet before discovering the tuba. As I delved deeper into music, I found myself performing in various ensembles and orchestras, which eventually led me to The Juilliard School. There, I earned my Bachelor of Music in 2018 and Master of Music in 2020.

After graduation, I spent some time in arts administration at both The Metropolitan Opera and Juilliard. However, I eventually made a career shift and transitioned into the corporate world, becoming a general manager at Equinox, a leading luxury fitness brand.

While thriving in my role at Equinox, I also pursued a passion project to support performing artists in transitioning to careers beyond the arts. During this process, I revisited the many audition websites I had used as a student and was struck by the frustration of needing to visit multiple platforms to find open auditions. This realization sparked the idea for OrchestraAuditions.com.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As businesses grow, there inevitably comes a time when you need to hire employees to help take your business to new heights. While being a high-performing individual contributor is essential in the early stages, it doesn’t automatically make you a strong manager or leader. To scale successfully, you need to inspire others to work for you, communicate your vision clearly, cultivate a high-performance culture, and give people a reason to be part of your team.

When I stepped into my first management role at 25, my boss gave me a book called The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John C. Maxwell. This book had a profound impact on shaping my leadership philosophy, and it has become an annual read for me. It highlights 21 core qualities that are essential for effective leadership, and focusing on these principles has helped me become a better manager and leader. If you work on developing these qualities, you’ll be well on your way to leading a successful team.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve always prided myself on being one of the most motivated people in any room. I’m driven to succeed, and no obstacle will deter me from reaching my goals.

One story that truly illustrates my resilience dates back to my freshman year in high school, when I had just begun playing the tuba. I was still quite new to the instrument and wasn’t very skilled yet. To make matters worse, an older member of the section, who was supposed to be a leader, relentlessly bullied me. He posted on social media, criticizing my playing, calling me a burden on the section, and declaring I’d never amount to anything.

Rather than letting this defeat me, I used it as fuel to prove him wrong. I doubled my practice time, began taking weekly lessons, and immersed myself in the world of tuba playing. Over the next three years, I earned All-State honors and eventually claimed the top spot in the state of California. I then went on to graduate from Juilliard, earning both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Looking back, if it hadn’t been for the harsh words of that section leader, I might not have found the motivation to push myself as hard as I did. His negativity became the driving force behind some of my greatest achievements as a musician.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.orchestraauditions.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchestraauditions/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-freeman-71243284/