David Mastrangelo, Principal Second Violin
Hugh and Betty Pearson Chair
David Mastrangelo began playing the violin at the age of 8 and began studying privately when he was 12, in his hometown of Syracuse, New York. He attended Southern Methodist University on a full music scholarship and graduated with honors in 1990. He then attended Mannes College of Music in New York, where he studied with Sally Thomas. From 1992 to 1994, he was co-concertmaster of the New World Symphony in Miami.
He joined the Naples Philharmonic in 1994 as assistant principal violin and was promoted to principal second violin in 2000.
As an additional interest, David is a certified spin instructor who teaches three classes a week at a local gym. He also has a small studio of dedicated private students who he enjoys teaching. As an additional musical pursuit, he creates arrangements for solo violin and string ensembles. He dedicates all recognition for his musical accomplishments to the glory of God. David has been a member of the Naples Philharmonic since 1994.
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The facts:
I'm a violinist who has been in the Naples Philharmonic since I left the New World Symphony in 1994.
What has been your most memorable moment with the orchestra?
There have been many great and satisfying concerts, but the most memorable has to be playing the Schubert Octet with James Ehnes.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Listening to violinists my age at summer camps in high school who were from the Juilliard pre-college division.
What’s challenging about playing your instrument?
Everything!!!! I have a hollow wooden box strung with wires in one hand, and a stick with animal hair in the other and it's supposed to sound like a human voice!!! Then there's the actual music...
What are your favorite compositions?
The complete collection of Bach's keyboard works.
What have you been listening to recently?
A lot of K-pop since my daughter is teaching English in Korea. Check out the hook in Blackpink's song Shutdown. You may be surprised!!
Are there other musicians in your immediate family?
Yes. My father is an immensely talented jazz pianist and composer, and my brother plays violin in the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I'm a gym rat who uses lawn mowing in the summer to push my aerobic conditioning to the extreme.