Douglas McRay Daniels
Assistant Conductor

Douglas McRay Daniels
Assistant Conductor

Born in Eufaula, Alabama, Douglas McRay Daniels developed his love for classical music early, at age 7, when he received as a gift an old transistor radio which picked up a classical station out of Fort Gaines, Georgia. He studied piano and then trombone, ultimately making his way to Boston where he was drawn to the podium by a desire to share his passion for classical music in new and exciting ways through creative programming.

Guided by a belief in music as “common ground” that bridges differences in race, culture, origin and age, he is particularly interested in engaging young (new) audiences in orchestral music. He has conducted and taught university and youth ensembles at top schools in New England and Nebraska. In 2003, he founded Daniels Music Schools as part of his personal mission to bring the finest in music education to developing young musicians who may not otherwise have opportunity to study music. For next three years, he created music programs in several schools in the Greater Boston area.

Prior to being the principal conductor of the Nashoba Youth Orchestra (2007-2009), Mr. Daniels served as conductor of the Symphonia at Philips Exeter Academy as well as assistant conductor with the Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra at the University of Nebraska and with the Marlborough Symphony Orchestra. His Boston area guest conducting appointments have included the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, Boston Invitational Trombone Ensemble (BITE) and Quincy Symphony Orchestra. Recently, he was identified as a promising young conductor by the Omaha Symphony Orchestra and was invited to participate in the Omaha Symphony Conductor’s Symposium. There, he worked with renowned conductors Thomas Wilkins and Mark Gibson on preparing for the musical and administrative demands of 21st century music director. Also a prolific composer, Daniels’ Rev. E.L. Knight, for solo tuba was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s principal tubist, Michael Roylance, during the 2007 Tanglewood season.

A graduate of the University of Montevallo, Boston Conservatory and University of Nebraska at Omaha, Mr. Daniels has studied conducting with Boston based teacher Yoichi Udagawa. He has degrees in conducting, trombone performance, and music education. Ray makes his home in Medford, MA with his wife, Kikuyu, and their over-indulged cocker spaniel, Lula.