Daniel Washington is the Associate Dean for Minority Services and has appeared with much acclaim in opera, recitals, and oratorio mainly in Europe, but also in the United States. He has sung leading roles in such prestigious venues as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden (London), Opernhaus (Zurich), Staatsoper (Hamburg), Alte Oper (Frankfurt), Theater des Westens (Berlin), Teatro la Fenice (Venice), and most frequently at the Stadttheater in Luzern. He has also been engaged as soloist with orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony, Bavarian Radio Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Nord Deutsche Sinfonie, Musikverein Wien, and the Czech Philharmonic under such distinguished conductors as Bernard Haitink, Simon Rattle, Charles Mackeras, and John Nelson.
Professor Washington maintained a private voice teaching studio in Luzern from 1995 to 1998. As Associate Dean, he oversees minority peer counseling services.
"University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance; Faculty & Staff Biography"
No stranger to the Spelman College community Dean Daniel Washington of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance returned to Spelman College on February 10, 2010. It was great to have him on campus once again. I recall his visit to Spelman in Fall 2007 in which I had the opportunity to sing for him as a Sophomore in a Master Class.
Although, this is only the second time in which I met Mr. Washington, I feel as if I know him. A former classmate of mine is currently a graduate student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Her desire to attend Michigan was to study with Shirley Verrett however, she is currently a member of his voice studio. As a trusted colleague she and I share information as well as keep track of the happenings in each other lives and Mr. Washington has become a major part of her life.
His visit to Spelman this time was to share information about graduate school, in particularly the University of Michigan. Mr. Washington spoke at the Spelman College Department of Music's weekly Music Seminar. In this seminar Mr. Washington shared information on his career path, summer programs, and the various avenues of study in which a singer can take. He also shared the importance of advocacy for the arts and music. He stressed the importance of keeping an art form in which we are passionate about alive. A student asked the question: "If I get a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance than what's my next step". Mr. Washington's words were simple: "In this economy Opera is your best bet to focus on and study however, studying oratorio and song literature is equally important".
Mr. Washington stayed after to speak with students but he also attended the departments Pre-Valentines Day Honors Student Recital later that evening. I was presented with the opportunity to sing for Mr. Washington yet again. At the recital I preformed Jules Massenet's: Il est doux, il est bon (from Herodiade). Upon completion of the recital Mr. Washington made a point to speak with me about my plans upon completion at Spelman. I shared with his how I am interested in the University of Michigan however, that I would be returning to New York City for graduate school in the fall. Mr. Washington shared that if I ever change my mind to get in touch with him and that he would continue to be in touch with me as well as speak with my voice teacher.
I am quickly learning that the classical music world is quite a small place and that the networks and contacts that you make are extremely important. I did not ask Mr. Washington a question in Music Seminar that day which he made sure to bring to my attention. So now I charge myself to find a question in which I need his helping in answering and getting in touch with him immediately.
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