Daniel Myssyk
Director of orchestral studies
Professor
Phone: (804) 828-4040
E-mail: dmyssyk@vcu.edu
Office: James W. Black Music Center, Room 3005
Daniel Myssyk has earned critical acclaim from the general public, as well as from audiences of Radio-Canada’s cultural network for broadcasts since 2001. As Founder and Music Director of the Ensemble instrumental Appassionata, he formed a professional chamber orchestra that has attracted growing public attention since its debut in July 2000. This ensemble has taken on an important artistic and social role within the Montreal community by presenting innovative works that appeal to wide audiences. With Daniel Myssyk at the helm, they are reaching across the rich cultural heritage of the region as well as crossing the age barriers and bringing youth into the concert halls. Lauded in Montreal’s newspaper La Presse as “an ensemble that is impeccable in all regards: coordination, balance, precision, musicality, with a beautiful sound…” Appassionata’s recent CD Idyla can be heard on Fidelio Records.
Currently Daniel Myssyk stays in tune with today’s youth as Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond (VA). A First Prize Winner in bass at the Conservatoire de Musique du Québec à Montréal, Mr. Myssyk was compelled to write a play for children that made its world debut in 1995 featuring his instrument. After graduating from the Université de Montréal he returned to teach music theoryand later during the summer of 2005, he conducted at Kinhaven Music School (VT).
In 2008, Daniel Myssyk made his debut at the most celebrated music festival in Canada, the International Festival of Lanaudière. In 2006, he conducted the premiere of “The Birth of Something”, a chamber opera by Anthony Brandt for Da Camera of Houston. Later in 2007 while serving as Associate Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, he conducted at the Round Top International Festival (TX) and made his debut with Ottawa’s Thirteen Strings where he still returns to guest conduct.
As a John E. Guida Fellow, Daniel Myssyk also had the honour of receiving financial support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Orford Art Centre allowing him to study notably with David Zinman and Tomas Koutnik. He completed his second Masters Degree under the tutelage of Larry Rachleff at Rice University where he served as Assistant Conductor of the Shepherd Symphony Orchestra, one of the top ranked university orchestras in North America.
Daniel Myssyk looks forward to his upcoming CD with Appassionata. They will premier the Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra by American composer Dana Wilson performed by Virginia’s own world renowned Rex Richardson.
