Danielle Taylor, BM, BA, MM
- Contributing Writer
Danielle Taylor is a violinist and violist from Oakland, California. She began formal music study through a school music program in fourth grade, with informal music training from a young age through singing in church. Since her childhood introduction to classical music, Danielle has earned a BA in African American Studies, a BM in Violin Performance (both at Oberlin College and Conservatory), and an MM in Violin Performance (Northwestern University).
Danielle plans to continue her education by pursuing her Ph.D. in Music Education. Her many research interests include classical music performers and composers from the African diaspora, as well as investigating issues of race, place, and power in classical music performance and education in the U.S.
A passionate violin teacher, Danielle maintains a growing studio in Chicago. She has taught in many capacities, including as a public middle and high school music instructor, as well as working with the Oakland Youth Orchestra as a violin Sectional Coach. She has also worked in several Chicago area music programs, including for the Young Music Scholars program of the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory.
As an orchestral musician, Danielle has held a fellowship with the Grant Park Music Festival’s Project Inclusion program and has also been a member of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Project Inclusion Ensemble. Danielle is a member of the Zafa Collective- a Chicago based, New Music collective. Danielle is also the Artistic Director and violist for D-composed, a Chicago based chamber music series that celebrates and promotes musicians and composers of the African diaspora. D-composed launched its 18–19 season as a selected participant in the prestigious Chicago Ideas Festival where they presented D-compressed: A Chamber Music and Yoga Experience.
