Dan Musselman's been playing the piano for 22 years - since he was 5. Now a composer, jazz pianist and college music teacher, Musselman will head a quartet in concert Sunday evening in Jefferson City where he grew up.
By Bob Watson
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Dan Musselman’s been playing the piano for 22 years — since he was 5.
Now a composer, jazz pianist and college music teacher, Musselman will head a quartet in a 90-minute concert Sunday evening in Jefferson City at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1529 Southwest Boulevard — where he grew up and where his father has been pastor for 18 years.
“He started in the Suzuki piano program, and it was clear from the beginning that there was something special about his ability, because he caught on very quickly,” Dan’s father, Scott Musselman, explained this week.
And the piano has remained his specialty.
“Dan had classical piano training with Jan Houser throughout his youth in Jefferson City,” his father said, “(and) owes much of his success to (her) profound teaching ability.”
But Musselman also played trumpet in Jefferson City High School’s concert and jazz bands, and played guitar in rock bands.
After graduating high school in 2005, Dan Musselman went to the McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minn., on a “full-ride tuition” scholarship named for singer Diana Ross.
“He almost (met her), but not quite,” Scott Musselman said.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in piano performance in 2008.
His online biography (danmusselman.com) notes he graduated “summa cum laude, salutatorian, and was the sole recipient of the ‘Outstanding Student’ Award.”
That same year, he released his first solo CD, “Ruminations,” containing all original, improvised material.
A year later, he began teaching piano courses and lessons, music theory, and ear training at the Minnesota school.
