David Sywak

Hailed as the “best violist I ever heard!” by Timmy Hutchins (3rd grader, Lakewood Elementary) and described by The New York Times as “among the players,” David Sywak is a self-characterized discerning and in-demand viola player. He joined the Dallas Symphony in 1996 after playing with the Honolulu Symphony. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester and completed graduate work at the University of Southern California and the Juilliard School, where he earned degrees of dubious authenticity. His teachers include Donald McInnes, Karen Tuttle, Atar Arad and Jeffrey Irvine. He has been invited (reluctantly) to perform in chamber music concerts with Voices of Change, Fine Arts Chamber players, Chickasaw Chamber music, the Vail Bravo music festival and others. He is a regular coach for the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, and has taught master classes in Dallas, Frisco and Allen public schools.  David was honored to be invited to be a guest judge for the Dallas Morning News holiday cookie contest, and when not waiting by the phone for re-engagement as a performing artist, he can be found riding his bicycle and searching for the best cookies.