Daniel Fister

Background

About Daniel Fister

I'm a seasoned college educator with over 10 years of experience in teaching and curriculum development, specializing in music, American studies, and college success courses. My expertise lies in creating interactive lesson plans, crafting equitable classrooms for diverse cohorts of students, and developing comprehensive syllabi that foster student growth in critical thinking, analytic skills, and knowledge about music, history, and culture. I completed my PhD in Musicology and American Culture Studies in 2022 at Washington University in St. Louis. My ethnographic research focuses on race, particularly whiteness, in collegiate a cappella in the United States. Over the years, I've successfully retooled numerous courses, including the First-Year Core Course for UCSC's Merrill College and SCU's Introduction to Listening: Western Music, modernizing their curricula to align with contemporary pedagogical approaches. My proficiency extends to utilizing educational technology such as Canvas LMS, Hypothes.is, and the Google Suite efficiently for both online and in-person classes. Additionally, as the Associate Director for the Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus, I have led auditions, rehearsals, concerts, performance opportunities while directing and managing our small ensemble, Desperate Measures. My background in Arts Administration and Concert Production has allowed me to plan large-scale events for up to people. My Editing skills have been honed through coordinating review processes and editing article manuscripts for journal issues. I am also an experienced singer, adjudicator, and music director of a cappella as well as choral music, musical theater, and Western classical music. My unique blend of hands-on teaching experience coupled with administrative skills makes me a versatile educator who can navigate various aspects of higher education seamlessly. If you're looking to invigorate your curriculum or need an experienced hand at managing educational events and programs, feel free to get in touch!