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Dan Montgomery - Gates-Chili

By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: June 1, 2011
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Ask Dan Montgomery about his favorite music, and the answer comes easily.  This Gates-Chili High School senior loves to mix it up, and jazz is the perfect vehicle.  He plays piano, tuba, electric bass and upright bass.  And he loves to sing too.  "The thing that really sets jazz apart from other kinds of music is the large part improvisation is a factor," Dan says.  "I feel like it's almost as if, if you can play jazz music, you can play anything."   

  Dan has accomplished the rare feat of being accepted to three All-State ensembles in the same year.  And he was recently given the Judge's Choice Award at the prestigious Berklee High School Jazz Festival.  "He really is the true definition of a well-rounded student musician," says Gates-Chili music teacher Christine Merkel.  "I'd love to make a living playing music, that's my dream," says Dan.

   Next year, Dan is off to the University of Miami, where he will study jazz-based performance and vocals.  He wants to be a working musician.  With talent like his, he'll no doubt be that, and much more!

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