As the Principal Horn of the New York City Ballet, Dan Wions has dedicated his life to making beautiful music since early childhood. He began studies on piano at the age of two, composition at age five, and finally the horn at age nine. His performance experience is extensive, ranging from orchestral, concert band, chamber music, and solo repertoire, to pop, rock, show tunes, and jazz.
In addition to performing with the New York City Ballet, Dan works as a substitute musician with the Philadelphia Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, and a handful of Broadway shows, while also serving as Principal Horn of the Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia and Glimmerglass Opera in upstate New York. Dan has toured extensively as a founding member of Universal Brass Ensemble (www.universalbrassensemble.com), with whom he has performed as both a soloist and chamber musician, while presenting recitals and masterclasses throughout the United States.
Dan holds a BM in Horn Performance, with outside studies in piano and composition, from Indiana University. He has attended numerous festivals, including the National Orchestral Institute in Maryland and the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland. His teachers include Joe Anderer, Michelle Baker, Myron Bloom, Scott Brubaker, Tony Cecere, Peter Gordon, Michael Hatfield, Phil Myers, Rick Seraphinoff, and Chris Wilhjelm.
Currently, Dan splits his time between New York City and Philadelphia, performing, teaching, playing ultimate frisbee and tennis, and eating obscene quantities of organic raw fruits and vegetables.
