A Bay Area native, Daniel Thomas developed his passion for music and the arts at an early age, excelling at piano, voice, and musical theatre as well as trumpet, French horn, and electric bass. Daniel received his Bachelor of Music in Composition and Choral Studies from UC Santa Barbara, where he was the student, then interim director of the men’s choruses, won a Corwin Award for vocal composition, and founded a vocal jazz quartet.

After college he grew his experience on the administrative side, including 14 years as the General Manager of Musical Theatre West in Long Beach. Daniel continued on the artistic side with over 100 theatre productions as an actor, music director/conductor, and pit musician to his credit, working with Tony and Emmy winners and nominees and countless Broadway veterans. Daniel was also the organist and choir director at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Long Beach for 13 years, and he remained active as a part-singer, including 11 years as a professional Christmas caroler and seven years with the Dapper Dans of Disneyland.

Since returning to the Bay Area, Daniel served as the Executive Artistic Director of 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco, and was also the Director of Operations for Peninsula Symphony and Cantabile Youth Singers. He continues to music direct for local theaters and schools, is the Director of Music and Liturgy for Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in San Jose, and does arrangements for a cappella groups across California.

As the product of a strong and supportive youth arts community, Daniel is committed to providing that same opportunity for the next generation of artists and arts lovers, having established and expanded education and outreach programs at both MTW and Moon and having served as the Education Director at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts.

Daniel lives in San Jose and is grateful to have the love and support of his wife Rebecca and son Joshua.