Daniel Taylor

Biography

Daniel Taylor is Associate Professor of Voice, Early Music and Opera and Director of the Historical Performance Area at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. He was recently named a Senior Fellow at Massey College and is the Head Vocal Consultant and the Opera Atelier. He leads the growing Historical Performance Area with graduate and post-graduate level programs. His scholarship and teaching includes exploring the relationship between performance and well-being leading to the building of healthy and sustainable technique. In Daniel's words: "The search for the meaning of spirituality in this life is the foundation - the cornerstone - on which artistic expression is built. Studying singing requires reference points that are in the here and now. In our work together, we are taken into the heart of the song, finding the joy and understanding the sorrow. This is a transformative experience that allows authentic artistry and our voice to live within and beyond the architecture. Understanding the mechanics is key and from there we really do have to move on - we develop our power, we look with a keen eye at the first stages of career development, we explore and serve the score, the composer and the harmony - and with the text we discover our freedom. We are here to provide comfort, solace, peace and understanding to the world. Everything we do matters and to become artists and better humans requires discipline, vulernability, honesty and stillness. My students, my colleagues, my friends and my audience know that I am their ally and companion on this journey.”