Daniel MacNeill joined the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in 2012. He began studying bassoon at the age of 13 in South Dakota, where he grew up. From the age of 15, he performed regularly with the Black Hills Symphony alongside his first teacher, Mary MacPhee. He received his diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy while studying with Barrick Stees and went on to study with Judith LeClair at the Juilliard School.

 

Daniel served as Associate Principal Bassoon in the Hawaii Symphony’s 2012 inaugural season as well as the Honolulu Symphony from 2004-2006. He has also performed with the San Francisco Symphony and Ballet as well as the Utah Symphony under Keith Lockhart.

 

Summer festivals Daniel has attended include the Aspen Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, The Spoleto Festival Italy, Kyoto International Music Festival Japan, Kent-Blossom Chamber Music Festival, and Interlochen Arts Camp. Daniel is on faculty at San Francisco State University and previously served as instructor of bassoon at Punahou School from 2007-2012. Daniel would also like to thank The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation for their generous gift of a new bassoon in 2000. In his spare time Dan enjoys rock climbing, traveling, and trying to find the perfect espresso bean for pulling shots at home.