Daniel Gee

Daniel Gee is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Westmont College. He leads the Westmont College Choir and Chamber Singers, which perform internationally and collaborate with institutions like the Tokyo College of Music. He also serves as Music Director of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and has held roles with the Long Beach Symphony and Choral Arts Initiative. His compositions have been commissioned by ensembles in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, with works published by Colla Voce Music and Walton Music.

Education:

• Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
• Bachelor’s Degree in Music (with departmental honors in composition and philosophy), Westmont College (2013)

Research/Artistic Focus: Gee’s work bridges choral and orchestral conducting with original compositions. He specializes in contemporary music performance and has premiered works like Agua Quemada (string quartet) and Cantata for the Restless (2024 Lilly Conference commission). His compositions often explore Spanish liturgical texts and interdisciplinary collaborations with visual art installations.

Awards: In addition to teaching excellence awards, Gee received the Monroe Scholarship and was a Lilly Graduate Fellow. His compositions have been highlighted in events like Westmont’s Ember Trees art-music fusion.

Advising/Grants: While formal advisee names are not listed, Gee mentors through ensemble direction and composition commissions. His grants include collaborations with the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art.

Labs/Teams: Oversees Westmont’s choral programs and directs the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, fostering youth orchestra development.