BIOGRAPHY
Daniel Mockenhaupt is an active piano teacher, performer, adjudicator, and researcher. Since moving to St. Cloud in 2019, he has been involved in managing his private piano studio, accompanying for various local high school choirs, and even served as both rehearsal and pit pianist for GREAT Theatre's production of Newsies. Prior to relocating to central Minnesota, Daniel ran a private piano studio in Norman, Oklahoma and served as pianist for First Presbyterian Church Norman. Furthermore, he taught group piano, performance, and homeschool music classes. Daniel is an active member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and has served the organization in various leadership positions. He began teaching private piano lessons in 2011 and has formal training in both traditional and Suzuki piano instruction.
Daniel holds a Master of Music Education in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied with the renowned pianists and pedagogues Dr. Jeongwon Ham, Dr. Barbara Fast, and Dr. Jane Magrath. While at the University of Oklahoma, Daniel held a graduate assistantship in which he served as research assistant to Dr. Charles Ciorba as well as taught undergraduate general music.
Prior to that, Daniel attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he graduated with a degree in music education with an emphasis in piano. He conducted research under the guidance of Dr. Nicholas Phillips, co-taught an introduction to piano course with Professor Lori Cruciani, and studied piano with Dr. Namji Kim. Notably, Daniel was awarded the 40th Annual Viennese Ball Senior Music Award for “talent, academic achievement, and contributions to Music and Theatre Arts Department."
When not delving into piano-related activities, Daniel can be found spending quality time with his wife, Leah, and dog, Luna. He loves cooking, baking, practicing yoga, and enjoying the outdoors.