About Daniel

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Daniel Mies Nass, age 21, resides outside of Chicago in the north shore suburb of Glenview, Illinois. A senior at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois, majoring in music (classical piano) and cinema studies, Daniel studies composition and jazz piano under the direction of Professor Christopher White. Additionally, Daniel attends New Music School in Chicago, and is taught by the former principal pianist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mary Sauer, and professional classical pianist, Jeff Panko.

Daniel has been professionally guided by many well-known pianists and instructors. As an alumnus of the Music Institute of Chicago and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Daniel has been taught by the very best, including Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Dr. Matthew Hagle, Dr. Daniel Baer, Sergio Monteiro, Desirée Ruhstrat and David Cunliffe of the Lincoln Trio and Black Oak Ensemble. In 2021, Daniel accepted the opportunity to perform in a piano quartet masterclass at Midwest Young Artists Conservatory with Aurelian Fort Pederzoli. Daniel was a student in a private class focusing on the Chópin Études at the New Music School, directed by Mary Sauer. Daniel performs consistently with the Lake Forest College Chamber Orchestra as a pianist, under the baton of Professor Nicholas Wallin. Daniel consistently performs with bands and ensembles at his college for fundraisers and private events.

Daniel works with numerous clients in the Chicagoland suburbs and actively performs solo recitals and background music for private events. Some of the venues Daniel performs at include Lake Forest College; North Shore Place; Royal Melbourne Country Club; North Shore Country Club; Belmont Village; Westminster Place; Covenant Living of Northbrook; Catholic Charities; Nichols Concert Hall; and Vi at The Glen.

Daniel’s accomplishments are global: awards and honors won include platinum first place in the solo senior division at the 2021 Canadian International Music Competition; third place at the 2021 ENKOR International Music Competition; 2021 Merle Hanson College Music Scholarship Competition recipient; semi-finalist at the 2021 Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition; third place at the 2020 ISMTA Competition NORTH; third place at the 2020 Piano League International Competition; and 2020 NSMTA Summer Music Program scholarship recipient. 

A huge achievement presented to Daniel was the opportunity to be interviewed and perform a solo recital on WFMT’s Introductions program in June 2021. As Daniel graduated early from high school in January 2021, he took several months to prepare to perform on Robbie Ellis’ weekly program that features top talented pre-college classical musicians in the Chicagoland area.

Daniel studies soundtrack composition, which he currently pursues as a minor at Lake Forest College. In 2021 and 2022, Daniel attended Northwestern University’s summer film studies program where he studied media writing to complete an original television script. Daniel’s short films have been viewed on the big screen at the Music Box Theater in Chicago - twice. Daniel attended the New York Film Academy in New York City and Los Angeles where he co-produced two of his short films on the backlots of Universal Studios Hollywood and Battery Place in New York.