Composer Performer
As a composer writing for his duo, his friends, and himself, Dan loves turning concert programs into experiences and making things go beep-boop.
Shiki Percussion Duo
Since 2015, Shiki Percussion Duo has seen many parts of the world with their music and are always on a mission to enrich the current state of percussion repertoire with their own works and collaborating with composers from around the world.
Detmold Percussion Group
In 2024, the Detmold Percussion Group has already taken the stage in a couple different setups. As a quartet, they made their premier with Simeon Ten Holt’s “Lemniscaat” in Bielefeld, Germany.
About Dan
Dan deSimone is an active American artist and composer currently living in Germany. Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, he began playing the drums at the age of 12 and developed a strong connection to the sound of the instrument. He received his bachelor’s degree in percussion from Temple University and a master’s degree in contemporary performance from the Boston Conservatory. In 2015, he formed the Shiki Percussion Duo with Ayami Okamura at the conservatory. In 2016, Dan was a prize winner at the percussion competition in Eindhoven, Netherlands. After studying in Boston, Dan moved to Germany to continue his studies at the HfM Detmold and has worked professionally as an educator, artist, and composer since graduating. He performs regularly with the Ensemble Schwelbrand in Berlin and is a founding member of the Detmold Percussion Group. In between, he writes music and sound effects for video games, which are featured on the Minecraft Marketplace.
