Conducting His Own Path: Dan Schwartz's Journey Through Music

Dan Schwartz, BYR ’09, ’11, traces his musical journey origins to West Philadelphia, where an early love for rhythm led him to save up for his first drum set by age 10 and start lessons soon after. Drawn to Temple’s energy and strong music program, he studied percussion while gradually discovering a natural gift for singing. This passion eventually led him back to Temple for a master’s in choral conducting, shifting his focus from solo practice rooms to leading vocal ensembles. Since then, Dan has built a dynamic career as artistic director of the Philadelphia Voices of Pride, a core member of the Grammy-winning choir The Crossing, and co-founder of the vocal ensemble Variant Six. He’s performed with world-renowned orchestras and teaches private voice at Haverford College—all while maintaining close ties to Temple through lasting friendships, meaningful mentorships and even a few nostalgic crepes.

The following Q&A has been condensed for clarity and conciseness.

It’s now the 20th anniversary, if you can believe it, of you first coming to Temple in 2005 for your undergraduate degree—what brought you to Temple in the first place? 

I grew up in West Philly and went to St. Joe’s Prep, which is right nearby at 18th and Girard. I fell in love with that part of the city. Growing up here, I always felt this energy from Temple that I wanted to be a part of. I loved the city and didn’t see a reason to go anywhere else. Plus, Temple had a great music program. In high school, I started studying with Temple’s main percussion professor, and I really wanted to be in that program. 

How was your experience in Temple’s music program? 

It was amazing. I absolutely loved all my professors. My percussion teachers were phenomenal. I studied with Glen Steele, who got me into the program, and later with Angie Nelson, a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The faculty really made the experience. 

I read that your musical journey started around age 7. Did you always know you wanted a career in music, or did it begin more as a passion? 

I knew from a really young age that I wanted to do it professionally. When I was 4, I’d bang on everything and tell my parents, "I want to be a drummer." They told me if I saved enough by the time I was 10 to buy a drum set, they'd pay for lessons. So, I started saving birthday and holiday money in a book on my shelf. By 10, I had $1,000, bought a drum set, and my parents paid for lessons. Before that, I had already started piano lessons at around 6 or 7. 

That’s amazing. So, you play instruments and sing—how do you decide what to focus on? 

These days, I mostly sing and conduct. I was heavily into percussion for a long time. In high school, I joined choir, and some folks encouraged me to take voice lessons. It came naturally to me, so I kept with it. Even while studying percussion at Temple, I kept singing. Eventually, I returned to Temple for a master’s in choral conducting and studied voice during that time too. Percussion meant spending hours alone in a practice room. I’m very social, so conducting in front of a group just fit me better. 

You're also part of Variant Six, right? That started about 10 years ago. What’s that experience been like? 

It’s been incredible. We’re now in our 10th anniversary year. Around 2012, I joined a professional choir called The Crossing and met a group of amazing singers. Six of us decided to form Variant Six, a virtuosic vocal ensemble. It was my first time co-founding something, and it’s grown so much. We’ve toured the country and held workshops at colleges. 

Speaking of travel, you’ve performed with groups like the Philadelphia Orchestra and the LA Philharmonic. What’s it like to work with such esteemed groups? 

Honestly, it feels surreal. I idolized those orchestras while at Temple. Every time I get to perform with them, I think, “How did I get here?” Just last week, I conducted a concert with Voices of Pride and brought in my former Temple professor—who’s been with the Philadelphia Orchestra for 25 years. Conducting her was a full-circle moment I never expected. 

That’s incredible. So, what’s next for you? Are you continuing with Variant Six and The Crossing? 

Yes. The Crossing is a 24-voice choir focused on new music. We’re currently preparing for a world premiere by Gavin Bryars. We’re also recording a piece we premiered a few years ago—recording is a big part of what we do. We’ve released about 35 albums and won four Grammys. In the fall, I’ll resume work with the Philadelphia Voices of Pride, preparing for our January concert, which will have a social justice theme. I also teach private voice at Haverford College. 

And how long have you been with Philadelphia Voices of Pride? What’s involved in your role as artistic director? 

This is my 14th year. I got the job right after finishing my master’s at Temple. I conduct and lead rehearsals, choose the repertoire and handle anything artistic—like hiring instrumentalists. Administrative tasks are handled by our board, but all artistic decisions fall under my role. For those that don't know, Philadelphia Voices of Pride is a self-affirming LGBTQ+ and Ally vocal ensemble devoted to enhancing the musical, educational, and cultural life of the Philadelphia area. We consider ourselves ambassadors, promoting a positive image of the LGBT community by donating our time, talents, and financial resources to benefit LGBT, HIV, and Women's organizations.

Got it. Let’s talk about your alumni experience. Some grads stay deeply involved with events, others more casually. What’s it been like for you? 

I haven’t been back much for official events. In music school, we didn’t really attend sports games—we were always in rehearsals. And now my schedule is so packed, I don’t have many free evenings. But I still hang out with a bunch of Temple friends. And recently, my husband got a job in HR at Temple. Every now and then, for nostalgia, I’ll grab lunch at the crepe truck or get some Vietnamese from The Wall. But otherwise, I don’t get back too often. 

To wrap up, what advice would you give students in Temple’s music program today, whether they’re singers or instrumentalists? 

Stay open-minded about your career path. In music, it’s easy to set your sights on one specific goal—like landing an orchestral position—but those opportunities are rare. There are so many paths to success in music. Stay open to where your passion and circumstances lead you.