Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Daniel Fridley
F E A T U R E
Interview with Daniel Fridley
How old were you when you began studying music?
I started taking piano lessons when I was almost five years old and started singing in a regional choir at the end of fourth grade. While I took piano lessons and sang in the choir (school and community both) until I went to college, I didn’t take my first actual voice lesson until I started my undergraduate degree!
What is your favorite genre of music to perform?
Favorite is a difficult question. I think performing in a wide variety of genres and styles is crucial to me staying creative as a musician, and continuing to have fun with my profession! I sing Balkan and Baltic folk music, Renaissance and Baroque music, Americana, opera, and new compositions … between these (and other) styles and switching between being a soloist, singing in a small ensemble, and singing with a large choir, I keep my projects varied. I think it helps keep my voice fresh and flexible.
How often and for how long did you practice when you started, and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
My practice has changed in so many ways since I started at age 5. I can summarize them as the balance between focus and time, however. When I was younger and starting, the major goal (set by my teacher, parents, and myself) was simply for consistency in practice. Increasing that time as I got older, I continued aiming mainly at the “time” goal, until I started studying voice and having drastically less time for regular practice through college and into the beginning of my professional career. That’s when my attention pivoted to focus. You can’t physically practice voice healthily for as long every day as you can piano, and when you have large numbers of rehearsals in your schedule, the amount of time you can add for individual practice is quite low. So it’s crucial to be focused in that performance time – have goals for it, reflect on it afterward, and make sure it’s working specifically on the spots in the music that present the greatest challenges, not simply going over the spots you already do well! With that amount of focus, the requirement for long marathon sessions of practice goes down significantly, which gives you time for pursuing other passions – or in my case, having a career in music.
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
Going back to basics is such a fundamental practice for all musicians, and what better way to remind yourself of that than teaching the basics! Younger students are also capable of so much energy and passion for music – it’s a new experience for them, and they’re learning for the first time about things that can be easily overlooked once they come so easily. Seeing the joy, excitement, and sense of pride in a student’s accomplishments at the piano is a terrific way to brighten your day.
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
When I’m not performing or teaching, I love to go on hikes with my fiancé, or stay at home and bake/cook delicious food if the weather is less pleasant outside. I’m an avid board gamer and total nerd as well, so you can generally find me unwinding after a long day by reading a book, catching up with the latest Star Wars show, or playing a game with some friends.
What is your goal for your students?
No matter the instrument, no matter the ability level, no matter the age, I want my students to develop a passion for music -- an enjoyment in and understanding of the way the musical language works, and how to develop their own fluency within that world. It doesn’t matter if they decide to pursue music professionally, develop it as an amateur hobby, or only engage with it later in life as an audience member, training in music will enrich their experiences, and broaden the horizons of their lives in countless ways.
Any upcoming performances we should know about?
I’m thrilled to get to perform with Culomba (an ensemble singing “polyphonies of the world”) at the SongRoots Polyphony Festival in Vancouver, B.C. Performing in such a broad range of musical genres with them, and teaching those styles to audiences, has been a real joy since moving to Boston. Then I am singing with Boston Baroque for the seasonal Messiah performances, and joining the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra in the chorus of their performance of Norma to start off 2024!
Learn more about our Voice and Piano teacher Daniel Fridley in his Teacher Page.
I started taking piano lessons when I was almost five years old and started singing in a regional choir at the end of fourth grade. While I took piano lessons and sang in the choir (school and community both) until I went to college, I didn’t take my first actual voice lesson until I started my undergraduate degree!
What is your favorite genre of music to perform?
Favorite is a difficult question. I think performing in a wide variety of genres and styles is crucial to me staying creative as a musician, and continuing to have fun with my profession! I sing Balkan and Baltic folk music, Renaissance and Baroque music, Americana, opera, and new compositions … between these (and other) styles and switching between being a soloist, singing in a small ensemble, and singing with a large choir, I keep my projects varied. I think it helps keep my voice fresh and flexible.
How often and for how long did you practice when you started, and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
My practice has changed in so many ways since I started at age 5. I can summarize them as the balance between focus and time, however. When I was younger and starting, the major goal (set by my teacher, parents, and myself) was simply for consistency in practice. Increasing that time as I got older, I continued aiming mainly at the “time” goal, until I started studying voice and having drastically less time for regular practice through college and into the beginning of my professional career. That’s when my attention pivoted to focus. You can’t physically practice voice healthily for as long every day as you can piano, and when you have large numbers of rehearsals in your schedule, the amount of time you can add for individual practice is quite low. So it’s crucial to be focused in that performance time – have goals for it, reflect on it afterward, and make sure it’s working specifically on the spots in the music that present the greatest challenges, not simply going over the spots you already do well! With that amount of focus, the requirement for long marathon sessions of practice goes down significantly, which gives you time for pursuing other passions – or in my case, having a career in music.
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
Going back to basics is such a fundamental practice for all musicians, and what better way to remind yourself of that than teaching the basics! Younger students are also capable of so much energy and passion for music – it’s a new experience for them, and they’re learning for the first time about things that can be easily overlooked once they come so easily. Seeing the joy, excitement, and sense of pride in a student’s accomplishments at the piano is a terrific way to brighten your day.
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
When I’m not performing or teaching, I love to go on hikes with my fiancé, or stay at home and bake/cook delicious food if the weather is less pleasant outside. I’m an avid board gamer and total nerd as well, so you can generally find me unwinding after a long day by reading a book, catching up with the latest Star Wars show, or playing a game with some friends.
What is your goal for your students?
No matter the instrument, no matter the ability level, no matter the age, I want my students to develop a passion for music -- an enjoyment in and understanding of the way the musical language works, and how to develop their own fluency within that world. It doesn’t matter if they decide to pursue music professionally, develop it as an amateur hobby, or only engage with it later in life as an audience member, training in music will enrich their experiences, and broaden the horizons of their lives in countless ways.
Any upcoming performances we should know about?
I’m thrilled to get to perform with Culomba (an ensemble singing “polyphonies of the world”) at the SongRoots Polyphony Festival in Vancouver, B.C. Performing in such a broad range of musical genres with them, and teaching those styles to audiences, has been a real joy since moving to Boston. Then I am singing with Boston Baroque for the seasonal Messiah performances, and joining the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra in the chorus of their performance of Norma to start off 2024!
Learn more about our Voice and Piano teacher Daniel Fridley in his Teacher Page.
