David Phetmanysay

David Phetmanysay (he/him/his) is a violist currently pursuing a Master’s in Viola Performance at DePaul University, studying under Ann Marie Brink, the former Associate Principal Violist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He earned his Bachelor’s in Music Performance from the University of Northern Iowa. With 17 years of experience as a violist, David looks forward to sharing his love for classical music and non-standard repertoire with his students.

Before college, David has notable accomplishments that includes being selected as the fir Iowa All-State musician from Waterloo East High School in Iowa and receiving the “Most Outstanding Musician” award at his hometown's Solo/Ensemble Contest in 2017.

David is passionate about non-traditional pedagogy, drawing from songs from popular shows, video games, and anime to make learning engaging and meaningful. In 2023, he presented at the UNI Inspire Conference on how the video game, NieR: Automata uses its soundtrack to explore philosophical themes. His work has been put on public display at the UNI Russell Hall of Music. Recently, he has presented at the DePaul Graduate Music Research Symposium, where he examined John Corigliano’s musical response to the AIDS crisis and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s.

A strong advocate for representation and inclusion in classical music, David aims to create a safe space for every student and their interest in diverse genres. His teaching style emphasizes organization, quick communication, and making classical music accessible to all students, regardless of background. David’s primary mentors include Julia Bullard, Tyler Hendrickson, and Steve Koh (violin).

Outside of music, David runs a photography business, enjoys biking around Chicago, and loves exploring the city’s coffee shops. He firmly believes that a well-rounded life outside of practice room is essential to being a fulfilled musician.