Biographie
Daniel Bernard Roumain's acclaimed work as a composer, performer, educator, and activist spans more than two decades, and he has been commissioned by venerable artists and institutions worldwide. "About as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets" (NYT), Roumain is perhaps the only composer whose collaborations span Philip Glass, Bill T. Jones, Savion Glover and Lady Gaga.
Known for his signature violin sounds infused with myriad electronic, urban, and African-American music influences, Roumain takes his genre-bending music beyond the proscenium. He is a composer of chamber, orchestral, and operatic works; has won an Emmy for Outstanding Musical Composition for his collaborations with ESPN; featured as keynote performer at technology conferences; and created large-scale, site-specific musical events for public spaces. Roumain earned his doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Michigan and is currently Institute Professor and Professor of Practice At Arizona State University where he founded and runs DBR LAB, a project-based development and producing space for ASU students.
An avid arts industry leader, Roumain serves as Vice Chair for the Board of Directors of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters; is a Board Member of the League of American Orchestras; is on the Advisory Committee of the Sphinx Organization and Music By Black Composers; and was co-chair of 2015 and 2016 APAP Conferences.
Roumain is the Roth Family Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Dartmouth College (NH); the Artistic Ambassador for FirstWorks (RI); and the Creative Chair for The Flynn (VT).
Roumain has most recently created the musical score for "The Just and The Blind", a collaboration with spoken word artist and writer Marc Bamuthi Joseph, commissioned by Carnegie Hall; and a new work for Washington State University's Symphonic Band, "Falling Black Into The Sky", based on the work of the artist James Turrell and his light installation at Roden Crater; and "Cipher", a pocket opera for the Philadelphia Boys Choir, with a libretto by Joseph, based on the incarceration of young, Black boys. Recently completed works include "Why Did They Kill Sandra Bland?"; "An Apology For Black Women"; "i am a white person who ______ Black People"; and the score for a new documentary entitled "Ailey", on the work and life of the dancer/choreographer, Alvin Ailey.
