Dan Wions
About
Dan Wions is the Principal Horn of New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Ballet. He also performs frequently with the San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Lukes, New Jersey Symphony. In addition to his orchestral work, Mr. Wions has toured extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, most recently with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and as a founding member of Universal Brass Ensemble (www.universalbrassensemble.com). Mr. Wions is also an active educator and relentless problem solver, giving recitals and masterclasses throughout the United States. His most recent masterclasses on Nutrition for Musicians and Ballet Orchestra Audition Strategies have been hosted by The Juilliard School and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Mr. Wions Is the Artist Faculty of Horn at the College of New Jersey. He holds a BM in Horn Performance from Indiana University, with outside studies in piano and composition. While in school, he attended numerous summer festivals, including the National Orchestral Institute in Maryland and the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland. His teachers include Joe Anderer, Michelle Baker, Myron Bloom, Tony Cecere, Michael Hatfield, Phil Myers, Rick Seraphinoff, and Chris Wilhjelm. Currently, Dan splits his time between New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, performing, teaching, doing Crossfit, playing tennis and ultimate frisbee, and eating obscene quantities of organic raw fruits and vegetables.
*** Please message me before you book***
Teaching Style
I strive to be very adaptive in my teaching style. Some students need to be pushed, others need a slower pace. People have different learning styles, different strengths and weaknesses, different goals, different personalities. I'm a born problem solver, so my first questions to new students focus on determining their goals and intentions, their current level, and the best strategy for getting them to where they'd like to be. Whether someone comes to me for embouchure problems, stylistic questions, sound development, or audition/recital preparation, one of my greatest joys in life is working with motivated goal oriented students through private lessons and ensemble coachings. As a musician, yogi, athlete, and health nut, I aim to integrate as many skill sets as it takes to best aid the student.
*** Please message me before you book***
Curriculum
Curriculum is contoured for each student. Having said that, I do have standard exercises that most of my students include to some degree. I start with warmup exercises from Ab Koster, Louis Dufrasne, Philip Farkas, Caruso, and others. Eventually, my students and I customize exercises for their needs.
I include many standard etudes, like Maxime Alphonse, Kopprasch, Gallay, etc... But in the past decade, new etude and warmup books have flooded the market. I have really enjoyed including them in my teaching, and in my own exploration, to keep things fresh.
*** Please message me before you book***
Credentials & Affiliations
New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco local chapters of the American Federation of Musicians, NYC Ballet, Glimmerglass Opera, Philadelphia Ballet, Ocean City Pops, Distinguished Concerts International New York, Indiana University, The College of New Jersey.