DANIEL HEFFNER Percussion Instrument: Xylophone: Musser M51 3.5 octave Drum set: Pacific Drums 5-piece Marimba mallets: Innovative Percussion Michael Burritt series Xylophone and bell mallets: Innovative Percussion James Ross series Vibraphone mallets: Mike Balter Pro Vibe series Timpani mallets: Vic Firth American Custom series Music Heroes: Aaron Copland, Frederick Fennell, Leigh Howard Stevens, John Williams, Boston Pops, Madison Scouts, Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Daniel Heffner's musical experience runs from orchestral and mallet percussion to banging on trashcans. Originally from South Carolina, he studied economics and computer science at Northwestern University, graduating in 2003. In high school Daniel played with the Augusta Symphony as a concerto competition winner and attended programs at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Interlochen Arts Camp. At Northwestern he performed for four years with the marching band's drumline and the Stomp-like performance troupe Boomshaka. With the Chicago Brass Band, Daniel is delighted to have the opportunity to perform some of the most challenging symphonic percussion parts in the classical music world. His trial-by-fire introduction to the Chicago Brass Band occurred at the 2005 World Music Contest in Holland, where he performed as a featured soloist on xylophone mere months after joining the ensemble. Daniel was a founding member of the rhythmic performance ensemble Be The Groove. Chicago-based Be The Groove, founded in 2006, combines drumming, body percussion, and dancing to explore new methods of rhythmic expression. Daniel lives and works in Chicago.