danmckay.net
Daniel
McKay began his
musical studies at an early age under the guidance of his parents, both of whom
are practicing music teachers. Living in the Blue Mountains region of NSW,
Daniel was active as a multi-instrumentalist, performing within a myriad of
popular styles. During this period, Daniel made many recordings for both
commercial and independent release.
Daniel
has studied extensively with Australia’s most highly respected guitar teacher,
Timothy Kain, in addition to Gregory Pikler and master classes with John
Williams, Remi Boucher, Maximo Diego-Pujol and Pavel Steidl. Daniel holds a
Bachelor of Music (1st Class Honours) and Master of Music (Hons) from
the Australian National University.
A
major prizewinner in many competitions, Daniel has been heard in numerous live
and pre-recorded broadcasts for ABC radio in solo (including his prizewinning
performance in the Australian Guitar Competition), duo and quartet performances.
In recent years Daniel has given many solo and chamber music recitals in most of
the capital cities and regional centres of Australia. 2006 has seen Daniel
undertake his first solo tours of New Zealand and Europe – the latter made
possible through funding from the Australia Council – as well as recitals with
violinist Zoë Black, and numerous solo and chamber music performances along the
east coast of Australia.
Daniel’s
debut solo CD featuring works of Dusan Bogdanovic, Leo Brouwer, Mario
Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Alexandre Tansman and Astor Piazzolla has been warmly
received by music lovers and critics alike; UK publication ‘Classical
Guitar’ wrote ‘Daniel McKay here performs an invigorating and very
listenable program of 20th century music, which, of all the
“private release” CDs I have reviewed is one of the best, if not the
best: McKay is certainly a most technically-capable guitarist, and not only
that, he is musical with it. His playing has a beautiful clarity and
crispness and he has a superb innate sense of phrasing allowing him to get to
the heart and soul of everything he performs’. A disc of works by Australian
composers is in preparation, due for release in 2006.
Considered
one of Australia’s finest guitarists of his generation, Daniel’s interest in
contemporary Australian music and considerable ensemble playing skills led to an
invitation to join Guitar Trek, widely
recognised as among the very best of Australia’s chamber ensembles.
Engagements have included several recitals for Musica Viva, the Sydney Festival,
Canberra International Chamber Music Festival, Darwin International Guitar and
New Zealand International Guitar Festivals, highly successful tours of Europe in
1999 and 2002, and Vietnam in 2005. Guitar Trek’s long awaited fourth CD is
soon to be released on ABC Classics, with a CD of Australian works planned for
2007.