Global Impact Musician Weekly Snapshot No.10

This week, we’re spotlighting David Freeman, General Manager of Equinox Columbus Circle and Tubist, who is currently mentoring two Global Impact Musician students: Joseph, an oboist from Kenya, and Tonny, a tubist from Uganda.

David Freeman - Global Impact Musician Mentor

For David, mentorship is both personal and purposeful. As someone who leads and develops people every day in his professional role, he sees mentorship as an opportunity to give back, share lived experience, and play a meaningful role in someone else’s growth.

“Mentoring gives me an opportunity to give back and share my experiences to those who will hopefully benefit from hearing them. It’s very rewarding to be involved in someone’s growth.” - David

Mentorship Highlights

What have you enjoyed most about working with Tonny and Joseph?

“Their attitudes are extremely positive. They bring passion, energy, dedication, and commitment. Both of them are extremely smart, and they have a willingness to grow and learn.”

How has mentoring helped you reflect on your own growth?

“Mentorship is not one-directional. While I hope Joseph and Tonny can learn from me, I am also learning from them. We have many things in common, such as music, but we have different lived experiences. Listening to their experiences gives me insight that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”

For David, mentorship has expanded his perspective and reminded him of the value of listening with curiosity and openness to people whose life paths differ from his own.

What do you hope for their futures?

“I wish them all the success in the world. Both of them have different goals and different aspirations, and I hope that I will play a part in guiding them there. Even if some small percentage of their success comes from our conversations and mentorship, that would mean a lot.”

David performing at Snape Maltings in England

Patience, Listening, & Communication

For David, mentorship comes down to patience, listening, communication, and asking thoughtful questions. He believes a mentor must first understand the person in front of them before offering guidance, and that leadership is ultimately about serving and developing others.

Whether in music, management, or mentorship, David sees leadership as something anyone can practice. His most memorable moments with Joseph and Tonny have been seeing ideas click and watching their smiles light up the room. In every conversation, David reminds us that leadership begins with listening, and that each of us can practice it by taking the time to hear, encourage, and guide the people around us.

David leading a masterclass