Daniel Fitzpatrick is a composer, pianist, banjoist, guitarist, and music educator with extensive experience in both performance and teaching. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in music composition and has been awarded numerous awards, merit-based scholarships, and positions for his achievements in both composition and piano performance. During graduate school, he served as the pianist for the Mizzou New Music Ensemble and worked as an audio-visual engineer at the University of Missouri, where he earned his Master’s degree. As a pianist, Daniel has performed in a wide range of settings, including as a soloist, accompanist, church pianist, and ensemble member. He has studied piano pedagogy with Dr. Kevin Hampton and piano performance with Dr. Jennifer Lim-Judd and Dr. Peter Miyamoto.

Having played the banjo since the age of seven, Daniel’s deep-rooted connection to bluegrass and folk music has shaped his career as both a composer and performer. He has been featured as a banjo soloist and composer in various concerts and recitals at the University of Missouri, Southeast Missouri University, and East Central College. His banjo concertino Ancient Echoes (2020) was showcased at the 2020 Mizzou International Composers Festival in which he performed banjo alongside the Mizzou New Music Ensemble. Banjo virtuoso Tony Trischka praised the piece as 'totally impressive.' As both a banjoist and composer, Daniel continually pushes the boundaries of the instrument through his original works and arrangements. For example, his piece Perplexion (2019) fuses the styles of bluegrass, rag, jazz, and contemporary classical music. Currently, he is producing an album of progressive banjo compositions, further redefining the possibilities of this often typecast instrument.

Daniel has received many honors as a composer. In 2021 he was selected to be a resident composer for the Mizzou International Composers Festival at which his piece Adapt (2021) was premiered. He was a finalist for the Sinquefield prize for music composition in 2020 and 2021. Ensembles and artists Daniel has worked with include the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, Bjorn Ranheim, Peter Henderson, and Alarm Will Sound. His past composition professors include Dr. Stefan Freund, Dr. Carolina Heredia, Dr. Robert Fruehwald, and Dr. Joseph Tyldesley. Additionally, he has studied with composers Evan Chambers, Ami Dang, David T. Little, and Chen Yi.

As an educator, Daniel has taught students of all ages and skill levels, offering instruction in piano, banjo, and guitar. He has taught at Wentzville Music, the Southeast Missouri State Music Academy, and Palen Music Center, in addition to maintaining a private teaching studio. Additionally, he has been invited to lecture at universities on the theory and inspirations behind his compositional work.

Daniel’s teaching approach is tailored to each student’s individual needs, incorporating a variety of methods while fostering creativity and exploration. Regardless of age or experience level, he takes great pride in guiding his students toward musical excellence.