Piano: Daniel Orellana started his piano education at 4 years old and quickly grew to enjoy it. His first music lessons were at the Tulsa Barthelmes Conservatory of music where he studied under Anna Karitchashvili, a well-known Tulsa concert pianist at the time, who propelled him very quickly into the classical world and discipline of rigorous practice. When he was 7, Daniel then moved to studying under Young-Eun Chung, a piano professor from Oral Roberts University. After another 2 successful years, Daniel was then accepted to be able to study under the most wanted piano professor at the time in the Tulsa area, Tatyana Lantos. Lantos, being a professional concert pianist and classically trained piano professor from the most prestigious music school in Ukraine, quickly accelerated Daniel into the competitive level of piano playing. After studying with Lantos for the next 9 years, Daniel then auditioned and won the University of Tulsa Golden Music Scholarship (Full Tuition Waiver) allowing him the privilege of having all expenses paid for undergrad. He is currently studying piano at the University of Tulsa under Stuart Deaver, the head piano professor.

​

Violin: Daniel Orellana started his violin education a little later with his first lesson being at the age of 7. His first violin lessons were at the Tulsa Barthelmes Conservatory of music with Jennifer Sherman, the principal 2nd for the Tulsa Symphony and associate concertmaster of the Signature Symphony. After studying with Sherman for a year, Daniel was moved to study with Sheri Neubauer a professional violinist and violin 1 in the Tulsa Symphony for the next 3 years. He strictly followed the Susuki method until about 12 when he was introduced into more classical repertoire. At the age of 11, Daniel then acquired a new teacher by the name of Esther Fellows, violinist for the Tulsa, Signature, and Bartlesville Symphony. Under Fellows' instruction, Daniel learned how to improve his skill in quartet and solo playing and remained under her mentorship for the next 3 years. Wishing to reach the next level, Daniel then moved to study under Gina Davis, the assistant concertmaster of the Tulsa Symphony and Principal Violinist of the Water's Quintet. Gina, quickly helped Daniel reach a higher level and work on improving his stage presence for performance. After studying with her for 3 years, Daniel became the concertmaster of the Tulsa Community College Chamber Orchestra which served as his first real world experience in a principal position. For the next 2 years, he studied under Heidi Rigert, the Music Director for TCC and obtained his AA in Music. During his time there, he was also hired to perform with the Signature Symphony quartet as the resident violin 2 for a few months which greatly increased his experience. He then transferred to the University of Tulsa and after winning a full scholarship in music, is blessed to study under the watchful eye of Dr. Marueen O'Boyle which serves as the String Director for TU and the resident concertmaster of the Signature Symphony. 

​

Conducting: Daniel Orellana started his conducting journey later in his life at the age of 16, once all crucial aspects of music theory, composition, and orchestra studies were well embedded in his career. Daniel saw it necessary to not simply jump into conducting as an amateur, but rather sought to receive proper, professional, classical training like his prior instruments. Without many connections in the conducting world, Daniel found it very hard to find a conducting mentor and began taking classes online. After a few months, TCC invited a rather well-known guest conductor to work with the Chamber Orchestra and give a one on one masterclass. Daniel saw this opportunity and after a session, reached out to this conductor and requested mentorship. Once Daniel was accepted, he began studying with the conductor known as David Barg, which unbeknownst to Daniel, would be one of the most influential people he would study with. David Barg, being the conductor Kearney Symphony Orchestra and guest clinician for the NY Philharmonic quickly whipped Daniel out of his comfort zone, helped improved technique dramatically, and showed him the importance of phrasing and expression in orchestral conducting. After working with him for a few months however, Barg unfortunately passed away leaving only a memory of a conducting legacy behind. With new found hope, Daniel then applied to work alongside the Signature Symphony in a conducting masterclass. After a little while, he was notified of his acceptance and was privileged to be mentored by Scott Seaton, award-winning conductor, artistic director of the Signature Symphony, music director of the North State Symphony Orchestra, and temporary resident conductor of the Minot Symphony Orchestra. Seaton was greatly influential in Daniel's conducting during the masterclass, constantly fighting against any minuscule amount of visible tension that Daniel portrayed. Daniel was also privileged to work alongside Alexander Mickelthwate, temporary resident assistant conductor of the Atlanta Symphony, assistant conductor of the LA Philharmonic, Music Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Mickelthwate greatly helped improved Daniel's notorious right wrist tension and gave valuable techniques that would lead to greatly improving his career. Daniel also won the privilege of being able to conduct the Signature Symphony on Beethoven's 5th, during the SS masterclass. Daniel keeps in touch with his mentors which him to continue improving his career. Daniel currently serves as the Creative Director for the Owasso Christmas Symphony which holds an annual performance at the Mary Glass Performing Arts Center in Owasso, OK. 

​​

Other Instruments and Composition: Daniel Orellana also dabbled in other instruments including flute and piccolo. He doesn't consider this instruments as ones he can play because he was not classically trained in them. Daniel started flute/piccolo at age 11 and studied under Cheri Thomas, principal flutist for the Signature Symphony, for about 2 and 1/2 years before deciding to focus his full attention to piano and violin. Although he enjoyed flute, he wished to focus on mastering two instruments rather than just bouncing around instruments. As far as composition, Daniel began composing around 14 and quickly found it as a hobby he greatly enjoyed. To this day, he has been hired to write arrangements for various events. He has also composed several original compositions which contributed to his winning of the TU Golden Music Scholarship. He is currently studying composition under Dr. Camci Alican, composition/film director of the TU School of Music. 

​

Personal Life: Aside from doing music, Daniel was also an athlete in high school and first two years of college. Daniel swam competitively for 7 years, which helped take his mind of off music and focus on athletic training. During this time, Daniel became a two-time Oklahoma state champion in the men's 4x50 Medley and Free Relays as well as a two-time OKS silver medalist in the 4x200 Freestyle Relay. He was also fortunate to become an individual bronze medalist at the 2023 OKS State Championships in the 400m Freestyle and in the span of his career received a total of 16x top 8 rankings in the state with 7 of those being top 5. Being a competitive athlete allowed him to see the correlation between rigorous sport and classical music discipline. It is not just about how well you can perform when people are watching, but it is how well you can practice when no one is watching and ultimately, it is about understanding that everything comes from God and his name is the one to be praised. Daniel also specializes in orchestrating hymns into classical-style arrangements for full symphony and the sheet music is available here in the music store. Daniel is currently a junior in college, pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry Pre-Med and B.M. Violin Performance from the University of Tulsa. His goal is then to study medicine to ultimately specialize in Sports Medicine.

​

I hope you enjoy the blessing of this inspirational music!