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DANIEL DAVID FEINSMITH (b. NYC) is a modern experimental classical composer whose studies of composition and musicianship span Western and Eastern classical musics.
Mr. Feinsmith hails from a family of virtuosic composers, performers, and writers. At an early age, Mr. Feinsmith was steeped in classical music through his parents and grandfather, who were variously members of the NY Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Denver Symphony Orchestra, Little Orchestra Society, Indianapolis Symphony, the Jerusalem Symphony and others. His father Marvin Feinsmith has composed numerous solo, chamber, and symphonic works. His family history boasts a multigenerational line of composers, musical performers and writers which has been traced in an unbroken line as far back as the 1600s.
Mr. Feinsmith composes works for concert soloists and ensembles. He has studied Western Composition under Terry Riley, John Corigliano, John Thow and Edmund Campion. Mr. Feinsmith has also studied North Indian Classical Music under Ali Akhbar Khan, Terry Riley, Shabda Kahn, Pandit Jagdish Mohan, Sri Karunamayi, Ustad Mashkur Ali Khan and others, in the U.S. and numerous visits to Asia.
Mr. Feinsmith has received commissions and awards from The Kronos Quartet, The American Brass Quintet, The Alexander String Quartet, Grammy Nominee Solo Pianist David Holzman, Argosy Foundation, Ross McKee Foundation, Yaddo Artists Residency, Djerassi Residency Program, Filmmaker Rob Nilsson, Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley Civic Arts Commission, the Jess Shensen Music Fund of Congregation Emanu-El, The Sifriya Foundation, ASCAP, the American Composers Forum and others. He is presently composing under commission and for his own ensemble, KOHEN, with members including bassist Michael Manring and Cellist Jennifer Culp. He works and teaches in Emeryville, California.
