Daniel Pesca

Classical pianist, composer, and improvisor. Assistant Professor of Piano at University of Maryland Baltimore County (b. 1985). His interpretations of piano literature stand out for their creativity and dynamism. A fervent champion of contemporary music, Daniel is a member of several ensembles noted for their innovative approach to the development of new work, including the Grossman Ensemble and the Zohn Collective. Daniel has performed the premieres of over one hundred pieces, many composed specifically for him. He has performed as concerto soloist with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Oberlin Sinfonietta, Aspen New Music Ensemble, Orchestra of the League of Composers, and Slee Sinfonietta. He appears on recordings from Urtext, Centaur, Nimbus, Furious Artisans, Albany, and Oberlin Records. Among Daniel’s recent compositions are a sextet commissioned by the American Wild Ensemble, performed dozens of times at national parks across the country and included on the ensemble’s debut recording; a song cycle for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, premiered at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center; and a song cycle for tenor Zach Finkelstein, premiered at Oberlin College and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Formerly artist-in-residence at the University of Chicago.