accompanying the Triad Arts Ensemble Choir
Performing
Dan has been performing in the New York/New Jersey area since 1984. He has performed as a soloist and in various group settings at clubs such as Birdland and The Squire in New York City, and Trumpets, The Old Bay, Marado Blu, Van Gogh's Ear, Cafe Beethoven, and Shanghaii Jazz in New Jersey. His jazz quartet has been featured in concerts in New Jersey at St. George's Church in Maplewood, Montclair Unity Church, and the Summit Central Presbyterian Church as part of their Brown Bag Concert Series. They have performed in the Tower Center Summer Concert Series in East Brunswick and the Carnegie Center Summer Concert Series in Princeton. In 1999 they played in the Metuchen outdoor concert series and in 2010 at the Maplewood Jazzfest. The quartet performed at various New Jersey New Years Eve First Nights from 1994 to 1999 and in 2002.
Dan has been showcased with the Triad Arts Ensemble, a performing arts group that features music, theatre, and dance. He accompanied their production of the musical The Fantasticks, and has performed in their annual Canticles for Life AIDS benefit concert as a soloist, choir accompanist, and with his jazz quartet. In 1998, he appeared as featured guest artist on the TV show Battleground Arts Center Showcase and performed with clarinetist/composer Virginia Johnston in a classical and jazz concert at Syracuse University in New York. From 1999 to 2006 Dan served as co minister of music at the Springfield Emanuel United Methodist Church along with his wife, Virginia Johnston.
Dan has performed in several events presented by the Discovery Orchestra. In 1999, he teamed with jazz vocalist Bill Robinson in a concert for singles. He performed some jazz standards as part of the orchestra at their annual Viennese Masked Ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. His jazz quartet performed a lunchtime concert for the Mind Body Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital. This was an outreach program of the orchestra, bringing music to patients and staff. Dan has played for the orchestra's gala fundraising event at NJPAC from 2008 to 2010.
Dan has been showcased with the Triad Arts Ensemble, a performing arts group that features music, theatre, and dance. He accompanied their production of the musical The Fantasticks, and has performed in their annual Canticles for Life AIDS benefit concert as a soloist, choir accompanist, and with his jazz quartet. In 1998, he appeared as featured guest artist on the TV show Battleground Arts Center Showcase and performed with clarinetist/composer Virginia Johnston in a classical and jazz concert at Syracuse University in New York. From 1999 to 2006 Dan served as co minister of music at the Springfield Emanuel United Methodist Church along with his wife, Virginia Johnston.
Dan has performed in several events presented by the Discovery Orchestra. In 1999, he teamed with jazz vocalist Bill Robinson in a concert for singles. He performed some jazz standards as part of the orchestra at their annual Viennese Masked Ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. His jazz quartet performed a lunchtime concert for the Mind Body Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital. This was an outreach program of the orchestra, bringing music to patients and staff. Dan has played for the orchestra's gala fundraising event at NJPAC from 2008 to 2010.
Teaching
Dan grew up in Somerville, New Jersey and started piano lessons at age 7. In high school, he studied classical piano at Westminster Choir College Conservatory Division. He went on to study jazz piano with Keith MacDonald, Dave Braham, and JoAnne Brackeen, and jazz ensemble with Chris White at Montclair State College in New Jersey. He received a B.S. in Mathematics from Montclair State College. In 2000 he graduated from the Certificate Program in Piano Pedagogy at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.
Dan has been teaching piano lessons since 1986. In 1991, he participated in a Kindermusik Teacher Training Workshop at Westminster Choir College. In 1992 and 1993, Dan taught Kindermusik at Apple B's Day Care Center in Warren, NJ. From 1998 to 2003, he was the Children's Music Director for the Springfield Emmanuel United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School. Dan presented workshops on Jazz Appreciation and Education for the Music Educators Association (MEA) in 1996 and for the Shore Music Educators Association in 1997. In 2000, he developed and presented a hands-on program for the Discovery Orchestra called Improvise, in which children experienced the art of jazz and blues improvisation. In 2009, Dan presented a program called Understanding Jazz Piano at the Parsippany Public Library.
In 2005, Dan completed a Music Together Teacher Training Workshop and taught Music Together classes from 2005 to 2010. He currently teaches private piano lessons at his home in Maplewood.
Dan has been teaching piano lessons since 1986. In 1991, he participated in a Kindermusik Teacher Training Workshop at Westminster Choir College. In 1992 and 1993, Dan taught Kindermusik at Apple B's Day Care Center in Warren, NJ. From 1998 to 2003, he was the Children's Music Director for the Springfield Emmanuel United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School. Dan presented workshops on Jazz Appreciation and Education for the Music Educators Association (MEA) in 1996 and for the Shore Music Educators Association in 1997. In 2000, he developed and presented a hands-on program for the Discovery Orchestra called Improvise, in which children experienced the art of jazz and blues improvisation. In 2009, Dan presented a program called Understanding Jazz Piano at the Parsippany Public Library.
In 2005, Dan completed a Music Together Teacher Training Workshop and taught Music Together classes from 2005 to 2010. He currently teaches private piano lessons at his home in Maplewood.
