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Daniel Highman

After studying classical and jazz piano, bass, and guitar while growing up in the Bay Area, Daniel Highman went on to pursue music composition as his primary field of study in college. He received his B.M. in music composition from the University of Southern California, and his M.M. and D.M. from Indiana University. His composition teachers have included Stephen Hartke, Donald Crockett, Frank Ticheli, Claude Baker, P.Q. Phan, Sven-David Sandstrom, Eugene O'Brien, Per Martensson, and Richard Wernick. Some of the highlights of his compositional life have included having orchestral works performed at USC and Indiana University, receiving a commission from the Indiana University New Music Ensemble, and having a work commissioned for the Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival.

Upon finishing his doctorate at Indiana University, Daniel's interest in African music led him to move to Ghana for six months to study Ghanaian dance and drumming. While he was there he studied with Apetsi Kwaku Anenuney and Prosper Atsu Ablorbey at the Institute for African Studies at the University of Ghana, Accra. This was an overwhelmingly rich experience that greatly enhanced his understanding of the role of music in culture.

Since returning to the Bay Area Daniel has become an active performer and teacher. He currently is the pianist for the indie-rock group Naked Fiction, as well as the tango ensembles Quinteto del Bailongo, and Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico.

(9/11)