Danny Rand began playing the violin at age 8 in the Lewiston Elementary School Strings Program under the direction of Mr. Greg Boardman. At age 9, he switched to the cello.

Throughout his school years, Danny participated in the American String Teachers' Association Festivals throughout the state, the Maine District II Festivals and the Southern Maine String Academy in the summers. Danny played the upright bass and cello in the Lewiston High School Jazz Band, Strings Ensemble and Vocal Ensemble and the cello for Community Little Theater productions, including The Wizard of Oz, Grease and The Phantom.

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Danny played the cello in the Maine All-State Music Festivals through his sophomore and junior years in high school and was Principal Cellist for the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra. Designated an “Honors Musician” at New England Music Camp (Sidney, ME), Danny was Principal Cellist of the New England Music Camp Orchestral Program, studying under Ashley Sandor-Sidon (Drake University). He studied the cello during his last two years of high school under the direction of Mr. James Kennedy (Curtis Institute), Principal Cellist for the Portland Symphony Orchestra(ME).

 

Until that time, Danny was a self-taught cellist.

 

During his high school senior year, Danny broke his collarbone while playing varsity lacrosse. Fortunately, corrective surgery allowed him to continue pursuing his musical interests.

Upon graduation, Danny was accepted and matriculated into Bowling Green State University's (Bowling Green, OH), Bachelor of Music Performance Degree program.

Danny studied the cello under the direction of Dr. Alan Smith during his five years at Bowling Green State University (BGSU).

While at BGSU, Danny performed with the Bowling Green Philharmonic, the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra (Dearborn, MI), the Milenius String Quartet and performed regularly as the Principal Cellist for the Terra Community College Orchestra (Fremont/Sandusky, OH). In the summer of 2008, Danny was accepted as a Strings Teaching Assistant at the Interlochen Summer Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI.

While studying at Bowling Green State University, Danny had the opportunity to play under the direction of Leonard Slatkin (Music Director of both the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre National de Lyon, France), as well as participate in a master class with Benjamin Zander (founder and conductor of the Boston Philharmonic).

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After returning to Maine, Danny was employed at the Order Fulfillment Center for L.L. Bean in Freeport, ME. He recently performed as a soloist at the “MakeMusicPortland” Music Festival and at the Auburn Festival Plaza in Auburn, ME. He has played as a section cellist with the Midcoast Symphony, as well as the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra under the direction Professor Robert Lehman.

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Danny Rand is now a 10+ year member of The Dapper Gents, based out of Portland, Maine, and has performed solo at Bates College as well as other various weddings and private events.