about

Daniel Hughes is a multidisciplinary artist and craftsman — classical pianist and choral musician, photographer, timber framer, writer — native to the pacific northwest and now making a home in the mountain west. It has always been his belief life is better lived in good company with good chocolate, outside, barefoot and in the mountains; and that the whole of life & the art of living should be cross-informed by every endeavor and pursuit we undertake. His search across disciplines is in bringing voice to the quiet, honest vitality of life in a manner gentle, bold, and fiercely free.

Internationally renowned as a pianist, Daniel won first place and audience favorite awards in the 2021 Glory Int’l Piano Competition, laureate and first place in the inaugural 2020 Sound Espressivo international competition, and prizewinner of the Oregon Petri scholarship competition, Lillian Pettibone and Maude Sardam Collaborative scholarship competitions and collaborative division of the Oregon MTNA competition. He has soloed with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony orchestra and alongside Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini, and toured throughout North and South America performing in major venues which included the Teatro Colón and Arlene Schnitzer concert halls. Highly regarded in masterclass with Tamara Stefanovich, Andrew Brownell, Arnaldo Cohen and the Takács Quartet, he is also well known for frequent work as a collaborative and chamber musician with emphasis in the vocal, cello and piano trio repertoires. Daniel is a student of Irene Peery-Fox and previously studied on scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music under the late Phillip Kawin, after beginning university studies at Portland State University with Julia Hwakyu Lee. He has also studied with Heasook Rhee, Jonathan Klibonoff, Lisa Marsh, Chuck Dillard, Velma Schludermann and Geneva Wright.

An experienced choral singer, Daniel was a member of the Portland State Chamber Choir when their album The Doors of Heaven took #1 on the Billboard Traditional Classical chart, remained on the list for nine consecutive weeks and was in strong contention for Grammy nomination. The choir was named by Classics Today as being “amongst the finest choirs in the world.” Daniel studied choral conducting at the graduate level under Ethan Sperry, director of the Chamber Choir.

Other pursuits informing his work include extensive experience in the outdoors and as an active member of his local county search & rescue team’s backcountry rescue unit; current vice chair of the board of directors for Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE), whose Snow School program is an industry leader in providing underprivileged youth with science-based, hands-on learning experiences in the winter outdoors; formation ballroom dance which included several first place wins at the Gem State Classic National Showdance Championship; and many years of musical theatre including lead roles in Footloose, Anything Goes and The Drowsy Chaperone.

critical acclaim as pianist:

“a pianist of striking sensitivity and sterling musical intelligence . . . considerable technical skill . . . and a bold, mature and individual musical voice.” (Marc Silverman)

“[possesses] a deeply moving sense of musical style” (Peter Sanders)

“a master of deep philosophical interpretation” (Galina Ivannikova)

“an exceptionally expressive, creative and imaginative pianist” (Joanne Polk)

“truly, a remarkable artist” (Anna Ouspenskaya)

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