Meet David Pearl

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Pearl a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

David , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I’ve learned over time that there is a difference between becoming creative through inspiration and keeping it alive after the inspiration has run its course. In order to be creative one needs structure, organization and stability to contain creative outlets. Some of the most creative people in the world had the most boring day jobs. I’ve been gifted random moments of creative insights that inspire me to compose original music and keep me excited when I play my instruments. However, creativity does not merely equate to feeling a high when inspired. The secret to sustaining my creativity is to have a strong anchor of structure and discipline. For example, being bored during my practice routine allows creativity to flourish while working on my musical endeavors. Take the metaphor of a candle. The flame is always striving to go upwards to expand. it represents contagious and unbounded passion and inspiration. But, the wick keeps it grounded so it doesn’t burn out right away. The wick sustains and contains the fiery passion of the flame.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Baltimore and Philadelphia based professional drummer, pianist, vocalist, composer and music educator. I specialize in making music that blurs the boundaries of specific genres. I perform, record, and compose locally, nationally and internationally with a plethora of artists, singer songwriters, jazz musicians, rock bands, rnb and pop artists. I work with a number of Jewish artists in Philadelphia and Maryland who have inspired me to create my new original project of composing and recording my arrangements of ancient jewish mystical wordless chants and melodies. I also have original music that I write for my jazz trio.

As an educator, I teach and mentor students of all ages with an emphasis on process-oriented learning. I specialize in providing a nurturing safe space to teach private and ensemble based piano and drum instruction. I studied Music at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia after which I Received my B.A in clinical psychology from Temple University
and continued my graduate studies in counseling psychology at Chestnut Hill College. With a background in counseling and special education, This allows me to adapt my teaching style to the learning style of each student.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say .. The three skills that were most impactful for me as an aspiring artists and musician are namely …

1. Learning to be constantly resilient, determined and humble. I learn from my own mistakes and inadequacies just enough to be accountable and grow without letting me feel defeated.

2. Be hungry and be curious . The more I look back at my own life the more i realize that my insatiable drive to become a better musician was sustained through an innocent curiosity. the mystery of not understanding something and trying to figure it out drives me to learn more about life and keeps me excited to learn more without bumming myself out by comparing myself to other people .

3. Do You! This is something that just happens over time. I’ve learned to celebrate my uniqueness as an individual human and artist and not comprise my artistic integrity. which has shaped my unique “sound “ and vibe. So my advice to others … if you are not personally identifying with the music you are playing, you will not be happy performing it, and it will not come through to the audience authentically. Music is a medium for communication and self expression. If you put up a facade by pretending to be something you are not, that’s what will be expressed to others.

4. Be organized and be disciplined! It sounds cliche but take this to heart … you can come up with some of the most creative music in the world and be a musical genius. But, if you are not organized, disciplined and methodical, it is harder to finish the work you started. it’s like trying to tell a story to someone but stopping in the middle just before it gets good!

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents have dedicated their entire lives to being a role model for me. I have so much love and respect for their values which include a strong family bond, strong ethical beliefs, belief in excelling in education, and overall their ability to cherish their family, friends and community. My parents never forced me to play music, but encouraged me to pursue my musical endeavors. My mom played piano and sat with me during and after my lessons to help me practice. Although we barely listened to music in the house, my dad always had the TV on. I was able to absorb the music of tv shows and jingles which is where my first musical ideas stemmed from. All of my values and integrity comes from my parents for whom I am so grateful. Their infinite love and support has offered me the ability to become a professional educator and musician.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Sherri Goodall – first picture cover Eve Shpak- drumset picture Steve Belkowitz- Vocals picture

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