Acoustic Guitar with Dan S.

Dan Spollen plays a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, rock, and blues. Dan also composes original music for solo guitar, band, and orchestra. After early lessons on piano and drums, Dan discovered guitar, learning the basics through self study. This led to enrollment at Berklee College of Music, where he formally studied jazz, rock and other styles, and subsequently West Chester University, studying classical guitar, theory, composition, and performance. While attending WCU, Dan continued private lessons in jazz and began teaching and playing gigs in various group and solo settings. Dan began playing professionally in 1990, performing regionally, nationally and abroad in a variety of ensembles. Notable events include performances for the Pennsylvania governor and Philadelphia mayor. Dan also worked in Los Angeles, working as a session player, arranger, and composer. In 2001, Dan's original composition, "The Truth Of Being", was released worldwide on Real Music records. In 2008, Dan collaborated with YES singer Jon Anderson, resulting in the “Survival & Other Stories” album. Then again in 2016, composing two pieces for Jon's album "Invention Of Knowledge". In 2012, Dan scored the documentary film "The Great Lesson". Dan's original music has appeared on MTV, The Learning Channel, and The Weather Channel. Today, Dan focuses on composition and recording at his home studio, and on performing original and arranged pieces for solo guitar. Besides performing and composing, Dan teaches music, providing private and group lessons. Many of his students have continued on to university music programs and music careers of their own. Dan also freelances as a graphic designer and sketch artist, and has been commissioned for advertising campaigns, logo redesigns, and portrait artworks.