Daniel Newman-Lessler

Noted by the LA Times for his “luxuriant theatricality”, Daniel is a composer, pianist, installationist, conductor, singer, and educator.  Daniel is pursuing a DMA at California Institute of the Arts, where he directs the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble and studies composition with Nick Deyoe and Andrew McIntosh and piano with Vicki Ray.

He is a member of the free improvisation bands (placeHolder) and ++.  He has released two albums: an echo that doesn’t rhyme - a concert/installation piece for 7 bowed pianos, 4 percussionists, solo dancer, and light conducting system; and Lola’s Cookies - music for cassette-tape-based fixed media and acoustic instruments.  

His music has been performed by Tony Arnold, Bergamot Quartet, Brightwork Ensemble, Andrew McIntosh, Clara Kim, Isaura Quartet, Vinny Golia, Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, and Alison Bjorkedal among others.  He has performed with artists including Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, and Mary J. Blige.  

Daniel has commissioned new works by Dan Trueman and Elizabeth A. Baker and will be performing as a Piano Spheres Emerging Artist in the ‘22-23 season.  Daniel was a conducting scholar under Gerard Schwarz at Eastern Music Festival, chorus master for Santa Barbara Symphony, and has taught at University of California Santa Barbara, Music Academy of the West, Pepperdine University, Cal State University Channel Islands, and California Lutheran University.  

Upcoming projects include a commission for Collide-O-Scope Ensemble, a Barbara Residency at Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, and a permanent installation of Do you still want to go anywhere? Do you still think turning a wheel will help? for Eve Beglarian.