Biography

Dan Asanov is a dedicated music educator, composer, and performer based in North Carolina. Having graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s of Music Education, Dan brings a wealth of experience in both classroom instruction and diverse musical performance. His teaching experience includes student teaching placements in Wake County at Holly Grove Middle School and Holly Springs High School, where he has developed and delivered innovative, student-centered instruction across various ensemble settings.

Dan's pedagogical philosophy is rooted in the belief that music is fundamentally human, omnipresent, and inherently beautiful. He strives to foster musical growth through meaningful challenges, culturally diverse repertoire, and the cultivation of inclusive, supportive musical communities. As a performer, Dan plays tenor saxophone with The Spectacles and drumset with the Boom Unit Brass Band, and he continues to teach private lessons in saxophone and drums.

An advocate for culturally rich and collaborative learning, Dan has received several honors for his contributions to music education and performance, including the Nelson Delgado Latin Jazz Student Award and the Fred and Gail Fearing Jazz Studies Award. He also served as Music Director for the Alpha Rho chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and is featured in UNC’s Carolina Arts & Sciences Magazine as a "Tar Heel of the Week." Proficient in multiple languages, Dan is committed to inspiring students through music that transcends boundaries and celebrates diverse traditions.