Education
Dan received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and taught instrumental music in the public schools for 30 years. From 1998-2010 he served as Band Director at Grosse Pointe South High School, where his students and ensembles were recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally for musical excellence. Dan's Symphony Band received highest marks at music festivals in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Orlando, Florida and London, England. They were also featured at Detroit's Max M. Fisher Orchestra Hall, Detroit Institute of Arts Auditorium, and Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Dan's Jazz Band at GP South was invited by Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) to appear at the Detroit International Jazz Festival six times, and they were also award winners at University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University Jazz Festivals. Several of Dan's AP Music Theory students were selected to have their original compositions performed at Michigan's All-State Youth Arts Festival. He directed the Pit Orchestra for the annual All School Musical - notable productions included Guys and Dolls, On The Town, and Grease. Along with directing several performing ensembles, Dan taught Music Appreciation, Piano, and Music Technology classes and was faculty co-sponsor of Tri-M National Honor Society. In 2008, the Grosse Pointe South High School Music Department was selected as a Grammy High School of Musical Excellence. Dan also taught instrumental music at the elementary and middle school levels, and directed the Grosse Pointe Elementary Honors Band for many years. He retired from Grosse Pointe Schools in 2018 and taught privately until moving to northern Michigan in 2019. He served as an assistant music librarian at Interlochen Arts Academy through 2022, then moved to Alpena where he assisted with the band program in that city's public schools. Dan is currently the piano accompanist for Eurythmy at Detroit Waldorf School.
