ABOUT
Being heavily influenced by music, film, literature, philosophy, and the belief that the medium of dance can be as much a part of mainstream culture as all of the above, Daniel seeks to create work that is always ruminative and current. Consistently collaborating with local musicians, he has always attempted to create work that is meant to bridge the gap of the type of individuals that flock to the ballet. In an attempt to strip dance of its presupposed pomposity and excess, he creates pieces that use movement to communicate everything from the crushing struggle of man when faced with the absurdity of existence to the thought provoking circumambulation of an acid trip. In an attempt to meld dance with life, Daniel does his best to put a mirror up to nature, and always remain “capable of” whatever he is attempting to convey, but simultaneously at a distance, so the audience has plenty of room to fit themselves into it…or not.
Growing up in Queens, New York, Daniel trained in all the required fields for musical theater with Teresa and Mark Aubel. At twelve, he started training in classical ballet with private coach, Barbara Walczak, and trains with her whenever he returns. At 14, he started attending Professional Children’s School and The School of American Ballet, where he trained in the Balanchine technique for four years on scholarship. At 17, Daniel moved to Seattle and trained for two years on scholarship as a professional division student with the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. After two years in Seattle, Daniel joined Ballet Idaho. In four seasons, he has had the honor of performing in works by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Peter Anastos, and Alex Ossadnik.
Daniel has choreographed several ballets for Ballet Idaho. He has choreographed a total of five pieces for their NewDance, Up Close series, as well as several pieces for Ballet Idaho’s special event fundraisers. He has premiered two works on the Morrison Center stage: Qualia, and This Mortal’s Mosaic, the second to critical acclaim. His most recent ballet, Viewers Like You, was set to the live music of local band Thick Business and enjoyed a five show sold out run to standing ovations. It was presented a second time at the Boise music festival Treefort as the premiere crossover event of its first night to critical acclaim.
Daniel is always seeking new opportunities and faces to broaden his artistic range.