Sweeping melodies, resonating chords and rich textures…these are the trademarks of Dan Chadburn, a composer/pianist who invests the New Age/Contemporary Instrumental genre with a uniquely passionate sound. Deeply versed in both classical and modern traditions, Dan is a master of improvisation — the art of creating in the moment, in response to the stimulus of one’s immediate environment and inner feelings.
A native of Oregon, Dan began studying classical piano with Maxine Martin at the age of nine. Several times in junior high and high school, Dan was selected as an Oregon Music Teachers Association syllabus winner, giving him the experience of performing in recitals on the state level. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Pacific Lutheran University, where he studied with Dr. Calvin Knapp.
Following three national tours as a pianist and singer/songwriter, and the release of three albums in the Contemporary Christian genre, Dan moved to Los Angeles and enrolled in the film scoring program at U.C.L.A. Soon he was scoring for television and working as a pianist and session musician.
Wanting to further expand his musical vision, Dan eventually moved to London to study electroacoustic composition with two pioneers in the field, Denis Smalley and Simon Emmerson. “I was very grateful for the opportunity to learn from these two masters and to grow as a composer.” Considered by some to be on the outskirts of avant-garde, electroacoustic music is commonly void of traditional instruments and melody. Dan earned his Master of Music in Electroacoustic Composition from London’s City University.
Since returning to the United States, Dan has continued to compose, record, and perform.
Dan has released ten albums in the new age/contemporary instrumental genre:
Solo Piano (1998)
Reflections (1999)
Nocturnes (2012)
Whispers the Falling Snow (2013)
Keys of Light (2015)
Beyond Words (2016)
Held in the Light (2017)
Love Themes for Solo Piano (2019)
Always (2022)
Sacred Balance (2025)
Dan’s albums have consistently appeared in the Top 10 of Zone Music Reporter’s Top 100 chart, the industry standard for measuring radio airplay worldwide across multiple genres. Three of his albums (Nocturnes, Keys of Light, and Beyond Words) reached #1 on One World Music Radio's monthly Top 100 chart. One World Music Radio is the premiere radio station in Europe for the genres it covers (solo piano, world music, new age, etc.). Keys of Light was the first album to ever debut at #1 in the history of One World Music Radio. Love Themes for Solo Piano and Always both reached #1 on Amazon.com's New Releases in New Age Music. Additionally, two tracks from those albums ("Timeless" and “Always”) reached #1 among New Single Releases in New Age Music.
Dan and his albums have received multiple awards or nominations from One World Music Radio, Zone Music Reporter, WAMA, Whisperings Solo Piano Radio, SoloPiano.com, and others. Beyond Words was nominated for Best Solo Piano Album of 2016 by Zone Music Reporter, Album of the Year by Whisperings Solo Piano Radio, Contemporary and Modern Album of the Year at SoloPiano.com, and Solo Piano Album of the Year by One World Music Radio. Whispers the Falling Snow was named by both ZMR and OWMR as one of the Top 5 Solo Piano albums of 2015. Held in the Light was awarded Solo Piano Christian Album of the Year for 2018 by SoloPiano.com. Keys of Light and Beyond Words appeared on the first ballot for the 58th and 59th Grammy Awards respectively in the category of “Best New Age Album.”
His live performances have graced some of the most prestigious venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Symphony Hall in Boston, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Whether on a grand stage or in an intimate setting, Dan’s music has the power to connect deeply with audiences, offering both inspiration and solace.
Together with his husband and musical collaborator, Tom Nichols, Dan has dedicated much of his career to supporting charitable organizations through benefit concerts across the country. Their joint performances have raised significant funds for a wide range of causes, from LGBTQ+ advocacy to health and community programs. Their partnership extends beyond performance to composition, as the duo has been frequently commissioned to write choral anthems for GALA choruses. Recent commissions include works for the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, ensembles known for their artistry as well as their role in championing equality and inclusivity.
At the heart of Dan Chadburn’s career is a belief in the transformative power of music. His recordings and performances invite listeners into an emotional journey—one that bridges personal introspection with collective experience. With a catalog of albums that continue to inspire and performances that resonate in some of the nation’s most celebrated venues, Dan’s work stands as a testament to the healing and unifying capacity of art.
As he continues to compose, record, and perform, Dan remains dedicated to his mission: to create music that uplifts the spirit, strengthens communities, and reminds us of our shared humanity.
Dan's music is available and heard on streaming services around the world, including SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music.
