Collection: Flanagan, Dan

Dan Flanagan has built a multifaceted career as a violin soloist, concertmaster, composer, and educator. Flanagan currently serves as Concertmaster of the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, Concertmaster of West Edge Opera, and Instructor of Violin at University of California, Berkeley. Described as an “excellent violinist” (New York Concert Reviews), “stellar musician” (Nevada Reviews) “superior violinist” (Piedmont Post), and “one of the country’s most talented interpreters of contemporary music” (International Journal of Music), he has been praised for his “exquisite tones” and “forthright brio” (Sacramento Bee), and his “solos were excellent” (San Francisco Classical Voice).

Flanagan created The Bow and the Brush, an organization that commissions new music inspired by paintings and sculptures. With over 30 chamber and solo works, he has performed solo recitals across the United States, France, Italy, and England, including Carnegie Hall, University of California, Boston University, University of Rome, Stern Pissarro Gallery, and The American Library in Paris. Several of these compositions can be heard on his album, The Bow and the Brush, released by MSR Classics in March of 2023, and described as “Five Stars: A virtuoso exposition of violin playing, and a celebration of the intersection of art and music” (Fanfare). The Bow and the Brush Volume 2 will be released in 2025.

Flanagan has performed as concertmaster with the Oakland Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, California Symphony, California Musical Theater, Festival Opera, Symphony San Jose, Modesto Symphony, and Opera Parallèle. He performs regularly with the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet, Trio Solano, Berkelium String Quartet, and the Eco Ensemble.

Dan’s compositions have been heard throughout the United States and Europe. He has been commissioned by International Arts Educators Forum, Cecilia Ensemble, Trio Solano, Farallon Quintet, Hunter’s Point Shipyard Artists, Shipyard Gallery, Gold Coast Chamber Players, and numerous musician colleagues. In 2021 he received a grant from InterMusic SF to make a video of his composition “Ehrlichia,” Rhapsody in Discomfort #6, which is available to view on Youtube and brought catharsis to thousands of Lyme Disease victims. He has received awards from The American Prize and Global Music Awards.