As a child prodigy who has been playing the violin from such an early age did you ever resent having to be so disciplined and practice when others your age had much more freedom?
Sure I did, When I was a teenager. These days I see it as a blessing in disguise. I have to do less work because I worked very hard as a kid.

You made many recordings as a child, how does it feel to listen to those now?
Honestly, I am really amazed by how good they are, and wonder how I did it!

Up until the age of 14 you say you had been immersed totally in classical music, what changed that and which musical influences did you discover?
I always enjoyed other music as well, I just didn’t get time for it. I guess the time when I really got into rock and R&B was in New York, studying at Juilliard School.

Is it true you were expelled from the Royal College of Music in London?
Well expelled wasn’t the official term… It was mutually agreed that me and the RCM were going separate ways after the first semester. I did skip some lessons – but I also broke in to do extra practice, so that didn’t help!!

What made you decide that Juilliard in New York was the school for you, it must have been a little daunting moving all the way to New York to study.
I always loved NY. The thing that made me go to Juilliard was definitely the chance to study with Itzhak Perlman.
 
Wasn't it while you were a student there that you started modelling for magazines like Vogue and labels such as Armani, how did that come about?
Very early during my time in NY. I got scouted on the street and in clubs. I chose the best agency and started working part time.
 
You recently confessed to damaging your precious violin, that must have been heartbreaking?
Well it wasn’t something I did on purpose! It was definitely heartbreaking.
 
How have you found it adapting to play the Stradivarius you are using at the moment?
 It has not been difficult. I actually enjoy the Strad I am playing right now very much. A lot of practice helps!

Your most recent recording 'Virtuoso' has a very modern, contemporary edge to it - how much influence did you have on the direction the album took?
100% - I have to love the tunes, and I know how I want them to sound.

Your looks bring you as much attention as your talent as a musician, does that bother you or are you happy to be the one breaking the conventional image perception of Classical musicians?
It is all for the music. If the media wants to focus on my looks, that’s fine, but I will always focus on the music.

David's latest album 'Virtuoso' is available now.