Role

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Composer  

Birth

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1971 in Skokie, IL

 

Daniel Bernard Roumain, also known as DBR, is a Haitian-American composer, violinist, and educator. He was born on May 3, 1971, in Margate, Florida, to Haitian parents. Roumain grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church choir director and his mother a pianist. He began playing the violin at the age of five and was soon recognized as a prodigy. Roumain attended Dillard High School of Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he studied with renowned violinist Ljerka Ostric. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Music degree from Vanderbilt University and his Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. Roumain's music is a fusion of classical, hip-hop, rock, and electronic music. He has composed works for orchestras, chamber ensembles, and soloists, as well as for film, dance, and theater. His music often addresses social and political issues, such as race, identity, and justice. One of Roumain's most notable works is his Symphony for the Dance Floor, which premiered in 2002. The piece is a fusion of classical music and electronic beats and was inspired by Roumain's experiences as a DJ in the New York City club scene. The Symphony for the Dance Floor has been performed by orchestras around the world, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Another significant work by Roumain is his Darwin's Meditation for the People of Lincoln, which premiered in 2009. The piece was commissioned by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to commemorate the bicentennial of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of his book On the Origin of Species. Darwin's Meditation for the People of Lincoln is a multimedia work that combines music, video, and spoken word and explores the themes of evolution, diversity, and unity. Roumain has also composed works for dance, including his collaboration with choreographer Bill T. Jones on the production Fondly Do We Hope...Fervently Do We Pray, which premiered in 2009. The piece is a tribute to Abraham Lincoln and explores the themes of freedom, equality, and democracy. In addition to his work as a composer, Roumain is also an accomplished violinist. He has performed with orchestras around the world, including the American Composers Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Roumain has also collaborated with a variety of musicians, including Philip Glass, Lady Gaga, and DJ Spooky. Roumain is also a dedicated educator and has taught at a variety of institutions, including the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, the Berklee College of Music, and the University of Vermont. He is currently the director of the Music Composition program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Throughout his career, Roumain has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer and performer. He was named a TED Fellow in 2009 and a United States Artists Fellow in 2010. Roumain has also been recognized for his work as an educator, receiving the Sphinx Medal of Excellence in 2012. In conclusion, Daniel Bernard Roumain is a Haitian-American composer, violinist, and educator whose music is a fusion of classical, hip-hop, rock, and electronic music. He has composed works for orchestras, chamber ensembles, and soloists, as well as for film, dance, and theater.

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