Bio Dan the Music Man
Dan’s musical journey began at age 12, when he successfully begged his parents for his first guitar (and promised he would actually practice). As a young musician, he traveled from coast to coast through Canada, the US, and the Caribbean, sharpening his craft and playing for mostly adult crowds. But his true trial by fire, or baptism by apple juice, came in the mid-1990s.
Known to experiment in the studio, Dan was asked to write and record a theme song for a children’s variety show in Pickering, Ontario. The track quickly became a hit radio and TV jingle! Dan was suddenly, and perhaps somewhat reluctantly, thrust into the spotlight to host the live event. Thrown into the sandpit!
"Looking out at that sea of young faces, I was absolutely terrified," Dan recalls. "I’d played for some tough crowds, but toddlers? That's a different story. The moment I started playing, though, their energy completely captured my heart. And I haven't been nervous since."
Since that fateful day, Dan has focused on creating a joyful, shared experience where parents and teachers (kids at heart) can let loose alongside the kids. Born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Dan now lives in Toronto with his wife and their four children—who serve as his very own, brutally honest focus group.
With four acclaimed albums under his belt, including his 1998 debut Make a Bridge, Dan attributes his lasting success to a mix of creative spark and heavy lifting. He firmly believes great children's music takes 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration (mostly from jumping around on stage).
Look out for his brand-new, fifth studio album, Glide to the Upside, dropping in 2026!
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Amanda Rorison - Program Manager, The Canadian Tulip Festival Inc.
"Dan The Music Man can get children and adults up and moving no matter what the conditions are! His warm character brings children and adults alike to their feet and has them moving till the very last note. Dan The Music Man is one of Canada's must see children's entertainers!"
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Shelley Ware, Events Coordinator, Town of Aurora
"We LOVED having you and very much look forward to booking you again for another Town of Aurora event!"
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Gaby Chauvet, Association of Early Childhood Educators
"Your enthusiasm and obvious joy for singing mesmerized and entertained the 300 pre-schoolers and had adults in the room toe-tapping and dancing! We are sure to invite you back!"
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"The children are still talking about the performance. We haven’t taken down the posters as yet because they are a great topic of discussion - “that’s Dan the Man- he was here, we saw him you know!!!!” It was a great performance. We so appreciated your enthusiasm. It was infectious!"
ReplySome of the most uplifting highly energetic children's music I have heard!
ReplyYou will start off tapping your toe, snapping your fingers then, clapping your hands and finally before you know it you will be dancing the day away. I speak from experience having had this happen to me at one Dan's performances during Week of the Child.
Make a Bridge has some of the most uplifting highly energetic children's music I have heard. The songs have creative fun lyrics that involve everyone who listens. I know children that bath with Dan's CD playing in the bathroom, children that play it while they're going to sleep. I have a friend who listens to Make a Bridge in the car whether her children are with her or not!
Make a Bridge is the kind of music that energizes you on rainy days or during those grey days of winter. Make a Bridge is a CD that should be added to music collections in child care centres, schools and homes.
"Your enthusiasm and obvious joy for singing mesmerized and entertained the 300 pre-schoolers and had adults in the room toe-tapping and dancing! We are sure to invite you back!"
Reply"Thank you for another great performance. The children always enjoy your music - the interactive numbers are so much fun for them. We truly appreciate your experience and your skill in managing large numbers of little children. You are able to allow them the freedom to have fun but at the same time keep them under control so those around them can have fun too. You explain the games and dances in a way that they get it and you have your tried and true methods to bring down the noise level! And of course, you are a very talented singer!! It's a pleasure working with you."
Reply"I am pleased to recommend Dan the Music Man as a thoroughly fun family entertainer."
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