Daniel Cooper

Dan Cooper, a native of Rochester, NY, is an alumnus of Roberts Wesleyan College (Music, B.A.) and Stephen F. Austin State University (Music Composition and Theory, M.M.). A dedicated student of music, Dan has had the privilege of studying guitar under Dr. Timothy Shannon during his undergraduate time and then with the virtuoso electric-guitarist Nili Brosh (Cirque du Soleil, Tony MacAlpine Band, Danny Elfman, Dethklok, and soloist) for two years.

In composition and theory, his works have spanned the realms of choral, chamber, and large ensemble music, as well as video game, film, and media scoring. During his time at SFASU, Dan studied composition with Dr. Stephen Lias, video game composition with industry giants Mason Lieberman and Vincent Diamante, and theory with Dr. Samantha Inman.

Through a partnership with Southern Methodist University, Dan was one of the composers who worked on the video game Space Smack! (available on Steam). His thesis, Escape Beneath: an Original Game Score Inspired by an Analysis of Garry Schyman’s Music, combines analysis and original compositions for the upcoming video game Escape Beneath. In the fall of 2024, his choral piece "I Had No Time To Hate" was premiered with the Stone Fort Chorale in Texas.

The continuous differences in styles and levels of students always make his teaching days interesting and enjoyable. Dan currently teaches Music Theory, Composition, and Orchestration courses at Roberts Wesleyan University and primarily guitar (with occasional bass, cello, and composition students) at the Roberts Wesleyan College Community Music School. He also taught for a period at the Rochester Academy of Music and Art before moving to Los Angeles for a period. While in Los Angeles, Dan continued to be dedicated to his private students back in Rochester by teaching them regularly over Skype.

An active performer, he considers himself blessed to have worked with fantastic musicians throughout Western New York and Los Angeles. Outside of solo performances, some of his other shows and work include: ConArtist, Powerslave, Best Ever Productions, Vanessa Bejine, Speirs, RnB Classics Live, The Father’s House Church, Mosaic Church, Pino Gioia, pit orchestras, and more. The stage and studio are like second homes.