For a man who composes most of his music from a home studio in Lincoln, Nebraska, Philip Daniel is acquiring a worldwide reputation.
Specifically, the husband and stay-at-home dad has recently returned from composing a ballet in South Korea.
“The producers of the show discovered my work on Instagram,” Daniel explained. “You’d be surprised at how much work I’ve gotten from Instagram and other social marketing sites.”
An accomplished concert pianist as well as a composer for both film and dance, he has been listened to more than a mind-blowing 30 million times.
“When you’re a composer or any type of artist, you must consider yourself a business owner,” said Daniel, who earned a master’s degree from the UMKC Conservatory, in Kansas City, Missouri. “Your art becomes a product that you sell or license to the public.”
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On Nov. 14, Daniel will perform a private concert for art students at Le Mars Community High School before he and Le Mars Arts Center executive director Draven Hoefs participate in a conversation with teenagers about the importance and viability of careers in both the fine and performing arts.
At 7 p.m. Nov. 14, Daniel will perform a public concert as a benefit for the Le Mars Art Center, 200 Central Ave. S.E.
A pianist since childhood, Daniel began giving concerts before discovering he wasn’t always inspired by classical music from the past.
“I guess I loved composing my own music and playing my own music,” he admitted.
However, Daniel was also drawn by contemporary classical composers like Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Philip Glass and Max Richter.
Over time, he developed a musical voice that merged classical elements and minimalist soundscapes while retaining cinematic qualities.
Initially working as a musical educator, Daniel decided to become a fulltime composer a few years ago.
“Let me tell you, it was the scariest thing I ever had to do,” he said.
Working out of a studio in his basement, Daniel learned how to record and mix his own music through YouTube tutorials.
“Hiring engineers to mix your music costs a lot of money,” he said. “I’d rather do it myself.”
In a similar vein, Daniel didn’t see the need to hire a marketing firm or a recording company to promote his music. Instead, he did it a DIY way, utilizing a host of social media tools.
So far, his approach has proven to be successful.
Daniel’s music can be heard anywhere from commercials to documentaries to televised chess tournaments to background soundtracking during the Olympic Games.
And yes, it can even be found in a ballet performed on the other side of the planet.
“My wife and I were even able to see the ballet performed in person in Korea,” Daniel said. “It was incredible.”
While remaining a concert pianist at heart – “Nothing will beat the energy of a a live audience,” he said – composing music provides Daniel with a regular income.
Yet Daniel said he will always stay true to his artistry.
“Could I make more money by covering Taylor Swift songs? Yeah, I guess so.” he said with a chuckle. “Could I live with myself? Probably not.”
Still, Daniel is happy he’s found a way to mix art with commerce.
“Why be a starving musician when you don’t have to be?” he said.
WHAT: Classical pianist Philip Daniel in concert fundraiser for the Le Mars Arts Center WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 14 WHERE: Le Mars Arts Center, 200 Central Ave., S.E., Le Mars TICKET INFO: 712-546-7476
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