ABOUT ME.
Described as "stunning," "truly beautiful," and "mesmerizing," the works of Memphis-based composer Daniel J. Ward span idioms from neo-Romantic to minimalist to contemporary a cappella and singer-songwriter. His works have been performed by high school, collegiate, and community ensembles, and he has been commissioned by ensembles and soloists from the University of Memphis and Forrest Park Middle School (GA), and he recently premiered an exciting new work with Ballet Memphis! He has performed and recorded with many local artists and has collaborated as an arranger with Memphis artist Bailey Bigger and has arranged for the University of Memphis's mixed a cappella ensemble [blu].
His teachers have included Kamran Ince, Mahir Cetiz, John Baur, and Juan Sebastian Cardona Ospina. His debut EP Songs of Artful Resistance, a timely collaboration with baritone Donavon Hughes and pianist David Córdoba Hernández, was set to be recorded before the pandemic hit, but (spoiler!), it's the music in the ballet, so you can still check it out. He is currently working on a yet-untitled piece for chamber ensemble and a theatre piece called brave enough for me. You can find out more about #befm here.
Additionally, Daniel is an accomplished performer, having offered his tenor voice in Mozart's The Magic Flute (UofM Opera), Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers (Memphis Light Opera), and Thompson and Stein's Four Saints in Three Acts (TN Governor's School for the Arts), as well as in several musicals, solo recitals, choral performances, and as a collaborative and solo pianist. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Justice Choir - Memphis, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of social and environmental injustices through communal song.
"To report a performance or arrange a commission (or to ask a question or say hi), please fill out my contact form or send me an email, and I will try to respond within 24 hours!
"Fast fun facts: I do not like watching movies generally speaking (unless that movie is Moonrise Kingdom or What We Do in the Shadows), BUT I enjoy cooking, writing, having deep conversations, and listening to, reading, and experiencing music in any way."