Biography
Dr. Daniel Swayze is a pianist living in Pflugerville, Texas. Daniel is the Founder and Executive Director of the critically-acclaimed Beerthoven Concert Series, which has enjoyed continuous growth since its creation in 2014. His playing has been described by the Jacksonville Review as "Enchanting...crisp and impressive."
After an unusually late start on piano studies at the age of 14, not having a formal lesson until 16, Daniel began to secure scholarships from various institutions in his home town of Portland, OR including the Snowman Foundation, the Piano Santa Foundation, and others, providing him with lessons and a piano to use within his home. After just over a year of studies with pianist Barbara Parker he placed in the top five in Oregon's state level high school solo and ensemble competition.
Daniel went on to graduate Summa cum Laude from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR in the Class of 2011, having received all of the department's highest honors. While living in Southern Oregon, he performed as soloist with large ensembles including Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Rogue Valley Concert Band and in the Grieg Piano Concerto with the Southern Oregon University Symphonic Band. Daniel also served as accompanist for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Grace Lutheran Church, Rogue Opera, Southern Oregon University, and the award-winning ensemble Siskiyou Violins, including a 2012 performance in Carnegie Hall.
Since moving to Austin, TX, Daniel has enjoyed an active life as a performer, educator, and musical entrepreneur. He is a frequent guest on KUTX 98.9 Radio and has made numerous appearances on KMFA 89.5 as well as The Texas Standard and KVUE-TV on ABC News. Daniel's curatorial work in the Beerthoven Concert Series has garnered praise from the Austin Chronicle, the Austin American-Statesman, Sightlines Magazine and others. For its fourth season, Beerthoven performers were nominated in three categories for the Austin Critics Table Awards and won for Best Classical Ensemble Performance (for the ensemble invoke). In 2018 Daniel caught the attention of Food and Wine Magazine with the launch of Craft Music Lessons, organizing group piano classes for adults at local breweries and other venues. In March of 2019, Daniel was featured as a guest presenter for the Austin District Music Teachers Association (ADMTA). Later that year, he appeared in two Texas-based films; All Güt Things and Duncan. In 2020, Daniel was featured as a guest speaker for the Music Teachers National Association Virtual Conference.
Daniel completed his Master of Music (2014) and his Doctorate of Musical Arts (2019) degrees at the Butler School of Music, the University of Texas in Austin, studying primarily with Professor Gregory Allen. Previous teachers include Dr. Alexander Tutunov and Mark Westcott with master classes by Nelita True, John Perry, Jon Nakamatsu, and others. In addition to his Doctorate, Daniel completed a Portfolio in Arts Administration through the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. During his time as a student at UT, Daniel received extensive training in piano pedagogy (the art of teaching piano) and performed with the UT New Music Ensemble, giving premieres and rare performances of many works by living composers.
Currently, Daniel continues his work with Beerthoven and performs as a freelance pianist in the greater Austin area, serving as Director of Music for Memorial United Methodist Church, accompanist for the Austin Saengerrunde, and special events. His hobbies include cooking, swing dancing, astronomy, hiking, and the occasional philosophical conversation. Daniel is Isabel Certified.
After an unusually late start on piano studies at the age of 14, not having a formal lesson until 16, Daniel began to secure scholarships from various institutions in his home town of Portland, OR including the Snowman Foundation, the Piano Santa Foundation, and others, providing him with lessons and a piano to use within his home. After just over a year of studies with pianist Barbara Parker he placed in the top five in Oregon's state level high school solo and ensemble competition.
Daniel went on to graduate Summa cum Laude from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR in the Class of 2011, having received all of the department's highest honors. While living in Southern Oregon, he performed as soloist with large ensembles including Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Rogue Valley Concert Band and in the Grieg Piano Concerto with the Southern Oregon University Symphonic Band. Daniel also served as accompanist for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Grace Lutheran Church, Rogue Opera, Southern Oregon University, and the award-winning ensemble Siskiyou Violins, including a 2012 performance in Carnegie Hall.
Since moving to Austin, TX, Daniel has enjoyed an active life as a performer, educator, and musical entrepreneur. He is a frequent guest on KUTX 98.9 Radio and has made numerous appearances on KMFA 89.5 as well as The Texas Standard and KVUE-TV on ABC News. Daniel's curatorial work in the Beerthoven Concert Series has garnered praise from the Austin Chronicle, the Austin American-Statesman, Sightlines Magazine and others. For its fourth season, Beerthoven performers were nominated in three categories for the Austin Critics Table Awards and won for Best Classical Ensemble Performance (for the ensemble invoke). In 2018 Daniel caught the attention of Food and Wine Magazine with the launch of Craft Music Lessons, organizing group piano classes for adults at local breweries and other venues. In March of 2019, Daniel was featured as a guest presenter for the Austin District Music Teachers Association (ADMTA). Later that year, he appeared in two Texas-based films; All Güt Things and Duncan. In 2020, Daniel was featured as a guest speaker for the Music Teachers National Association Virtual Conference.
Daniel completed his Master of Music (2014) and his Doctorate of Musical Arts (2019) degrees at the Butler School of Music, the University of Texas in Austin, studying primarily with Professor Gregory Allen. Previous teachers include Dr. Alexander Tutunov and Mark Westcott with master classes by Nelita True, John Perry, Jon Nakamatsu, and others. In addition to his Doctorate, Daniel completed a Portfolio in Arts Administration through the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. During his time as a student at UT, Daniel received extensive training in piano pedagogy (the art of teaching piano) and performed with the UT New Music Ensemble, giving premieres and rare performances of many works by living composers.
Currently, Daniel continues his work with Beerthoven and performs as a freelance pianist in the greater Austin area, serving as Director of Music for Memorial United Methodist Church, accompanist for the Austin Saengerrunde, and special events. His hobbies include cooking, swing dancing, astronomy, hiking, and the occasional philosophical conversation. Daniel is Isabel Certified.
