First Officer Netanel Draiblate is a man of two passions: flying and music. As a pilot for United Airlines, he spends his days soaring through the skies, but in his free time, he can be found playing the violin as the concertmaster of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.

A Unique Combination

Draiblate’s love of music began at a young age, with his parents, both professional violinists, encouraging his interest. He began taking lessons at the age of 6 and went on to study music at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Despite his success as a musician, Draiblate felt a new challenge was needed, and so he turned to flying. With the support of the symphony’s board, he began working as a commercial airline pilot in November 2022 and has been a first officer for United since April 2025.

Draiblate’s two careers may seem worlds apart, but he finds that they share some striking similarities. The discipline and attention to detail required to be a good pilot are also essential for a musician, and he enjoys the mental preparation and focus that both pursuits demand.

Performing in Unlikely Venues

Draiblate recently had the opportunity to combine his two passions in a unique way. He met another musician, Paul Huang, at Newark Liberty International Airport, and they hatched a plan to perform together in an airport waiting area. This impromptu concert was a first for both musicians and showcased the power of music to bring people together in unexpected places.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.