May 18, 2021
As a child, Dan Shiller discovered a love for percussion while watching and listening to drummers at his church and school. But it wasn’t until later in his life that he truly found his passion for it and decided to devote his life to the art form.
“That came from the sheer exposure of different styles of percussion and meeting people who had made a life out of playing music, especially percussion,” said Shiller, now a graduate student in world percussion performance at Oakland University.
Shiller recently applied for and was accepted into the prestigious Mark Morris Dance Accompaniment Program in Brooklyn, New York.
“Being accepted into this program means I can learn from professionals from a top-tier dance company in New York,” he said. “I can learn the ins and outs of the business of playing for dancers and network with people so I can pursue the career path of accompanying dancers.”
Ali Woerner, an associate professor of dance at Oakland University and co-director/founder of the professional modern dance company Take Root, urged Shiller to apply to the program. She has also served as one of his mentors during his time at OU.
“There is a definite art to playing music for dance and I have watched Dan truly grow with his playing over the past year,” Woerner said. “The Mark Morris Dance Accompaniment Training Program is a fantastic program and I could not be more excited for Dan.
“Mark Morris is known for his extensive knowledge of music and his use of musicality within his choreography,” she added. “I am certain this will be an eye-opening and wonderful experience for Dan. I can’t wait for him to come back and join us this fall after he has completed his training program.”
In addition to being mentored by Woerner, Shiller has studied with Patrick Fitzgibbon, Enrique Rios-Ellis, Chinelo Amen-Ra, Mark Stone and others during his time at OU.
“All of my professors have guided me through different aspects of my studies at OU,” Shiller said. “Overall, Professor Stone has been guiding me through my entire degree as my advisor. Professor Stone also has a passion for music and percussion, and he shares that with his students. He always goes the extra mile when it comes to lessons or leading ensembles.”
Stone, associate professor of world music and percussion at OU, described Shiller as “a diligent and compassionate student” who is working to integrate a wide range of musical traditions as he develops a unique artistic voice.
“An important part of this development has been his collaborations with our distinguished dance program,” Stone said. “Dance and percussion collaborations can be powerful forms of expression and there are myriad opportunities for percussionists who make this connection.
“I am thrilled that Dan has been invited to take part in the Mark Morris Dance Accompaniment Training Program this summer in New York City,” he added. “Working with some of the world’s most creative and visionary dancers and accompanists is an amazing opportunity that will surely contribute to Dan’s continued artistic growth.”
To learn more about the programs and majors Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance has to offer, visit oakland.edu/smtd/programs-and-majors.