About

He has done so by performing works by many of the great composers of today, in many cases working with composers directly to ensure the best possible presentation of their works.

He is also comitted to expanding the classical repertoire of the trombone, having been the first (or one of the first) trombonists to perform many staples of the classical chamber and solo repertoire, such as Horn concerti by Glière and Strauss, Rachmaninov’s cello sonata, and Brahms’ cello, violin, and clarinet sonatas, as well as conducting and playing his own arrangements for chamber brass, brass ensemble, and trombone ensemble.This interest also extends to composition of original works, which are cataloged and available for purchase on the Works page.

This passion extends for new music’s applications to and inclusion in pedagogy, leading him to perform programs of new music at events like the California All-State Music Education Convention and the Texas Music Educators’ Association Conference, including playing in a clinic at TMEA on the pedagogical value of new works for trombone ensemble with the UNT Trombone Consortium, with a program comprised entirely of music by living composers within the last 12 years, including one co-premiere. An in-demand coach, has coached ensembles including the CSO Brass and the Grand Teton Music Festival Brass Quintet; he also maintains an active studio of trombone students. Adjacent to pedagogy is his work as a Model Validation Expert for Handshake AI, in which he is helping to shape LLMs developed by top industry players to better suit the needs of musicians.

These premieres were just two of many world premieres, US premieres, Texas premieres, arrangement premieres, and co-premieres he has played on as part of his commitment to the presentation of new and emerging works. These include studio recordings, as can be heard on albums such as the North Texas Wind Symphony’s 2019 album Hope (featuring Dallas Symphony principal trumpet and former Canadian Brass trumpet player Ryan Anthony), and 2020 albums Noteworthy and One for All (featuring the Barcelona Clarinet Players). He has also appeared live with ensembles including the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Arlington, Garland Symphony Orchestra.

Daniel holds a BM in Music Performance from the University of North Texas and an MM in Music Performance from Northwestern University. He is currently ABD and working to complete his dissertation on transcribing solo repertoire for the alto trombone for his DMA at UNT. His teachers include Tony Baker, Christopher Davis, Randy Hawes, Timothy Higgins, Natalie Mannix, Steve Menard, Michael Mulcahy, Timothy Owner, Eric Starr, Gail Williams, and Douglas Wright.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys reading books, rock climbing, working on vintage watches, and thinking about getting a new bike.

Check the Watch and Listen page for up to date performance information and subscribe on YouTube for solo and chamber performance videos.