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Classical Music and Artistic Perseverance, with David Singer, Clarinetist and Author, "From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall"
Description
Today, we enter the world of classical music and artistic perseverance — a conversation about resilience, mastery, identity, and what it takes to stay devoted to your craft over a lifetime.
Our guest is David Singer, internationally acclaimed clarinetist, educator, chamber musician, and author of the memoir From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall.
David’s extraordinary career has included performances at the White House for Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, appearances at Carnegie Hall with Yehudi Menuhin, performances alongside Yo-Yo Ma and Rudolf Serkin, and years as co-Principal Clarinetist with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
But behind those accomplishments is another story — one of overcoming an abusive childhood, struggling financially as a young musician, driving a cab to support his family, and refusing to let go of his calling.
- The Journey from Survival to Calling
David, your memoir title alone — From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall — tells a powerful story of perseverance.
Take us back to those early years. Despite difficult circumstances growing up and the instability of life as a young musician, what kept pulling you back toward music? At what point did you realize this wasn’t simply something you loved — it was something you were willing to sacrifice for?
- The Influence of Rudolf Jettel and Musical Obsession
You’ve described Rudolf Jettel, Principal Clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic, as your “musical father.”
You first studied with him as a 12-year-old boy and even sat beside him during Vienna Philharmonic performances. What did those experiences awaken in you creatively and emotionally? And how did that mentorship shape not only your musicianship, but your standards for excellence?
- Performing at the Highest Level
Your career has brought you into some of the world’s most prestigious musical environments — from Carnegie Hall to collaborations with artists like Yehudi Menuhin, Yo-Yo Ma, and Rudolf Serkin.
When performing at that level, what separates technical mastery from true artistic expression? What have you learned about communication, emotion, and presence through music?
- Reinvention, Teaching, and Giving Back
In addition to performing, you’ve spent decades mentoring young musicians and building chamber music programs at institutions like Montclair State University, Yale, and Princeton.
What do you believe young artists today most need to understand about building a sustainable creative life? And how has teaching deepened your own understanding of creativity and performance?
- Writing the Memoir: From Musician to Author
This book marks your debut as an author, and it goes far beyond music. It’s about resilience, identity, family, and survival.
What inspired you to finally tell this story now? And during the writing and audiobook process, what did you discover about yourself that surprised you?
David, after a lifetime devoted to music, performance, and teaching, what advice would you give to someone who feels deeply called to a creative path — but is struggling to hold onto belief in
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