Classical and jazz pianist, Daniel Mies Nass, is based in Chicago, Illinois. Daniel’s accomplishments are global: awards won include first place in the solo senior division at the 2021 Canadian International Music Competition; third place at the 2021 ENKOR International Music Competition; 2021 Merle Hanson College Music Scholarship Competition recipient; semi-finalist at the 2021 Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition; third place at the 2020 Illinois State Music Teachers Association Competition; third place at the 2020 Piano League International Competition; and 2020 North Shore Music Teachers Association music scholarship. In 2021, Daniel performed for Sheridan Music Studio’s Bach with a View Piano Competition and in 2020 for the Beethoven with a View Piano Competition - both as a finalist.

Daniel is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Classical Piano Performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University under the guidance of Professor Adam Neiman. Daniel studied classical piano with the former pianist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ms. Mary Sauer, and previous studies with classical pianist Jeffrey Panko. Daniel holds a Bachelors of Music from Lake Forest College where he studied jazz piano under the direction of Professor Christopher White and classical orchestral music with Dr. Nicholas Wallin. At Lake Forest College, Daniel was awarded the Lorraine D. and H. Randall Heath Senior Prize in Music. Prior to his undergraduate studies, Daniel studied chamber music with Desirée Ruhstrat and David Cunliffe of the Grammy winning Lincoln Trio. Additionally, Daniel was a student in a private seminar focusing on the Chopin Études at New Music School, directed by Mary Sauer.

As a performer, Daniel regularly performs lecture recitals for audiences in the Chicagoland area. During his 2024-25 private recital series, Nass performed major works ranging from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op. 109, Chopin’s Second Piano Sonata, the works of Brahms, and showcasing the water colors of Ravel and Debussy. As a musician passionate for the works of Brahms and Beethoven, Daniel pursues research projects and presents lecture recitals on these composers, their significance in classical music, and the art of interpretation.

Daniel’s musical accomplishments landed him the opportunity to be interviewed and perform a solo recital on WFMT’s Introductions program in June 2021. Additionally, Daniel has performed in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Tennessee with concerts at notable music venues in the Chicagoland area such as Nichols Concert Hall, Gorton Community Center, Davenport’s, LondonHouse Chicago, Time Out Market, Clara, among additional performing arts venues. In January 2024, Daniel released a solo piano album including Chopin’s Second Piano Sonata and repertoire by Beethoven and Debussy.

Daniel Nass is currently Piano and Theory Faculty at New Music School in Chicago where he teaches piano to his private piano students and music theory to 60 students on a weekly basis. Additionally at New Music School, Daniel curated artist residencies and masterclasses with reputable musicians such as Dr. Alan Chow of Eastman University, concert pianist Steven Osborne OBE, Jennifer Gunn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and concert violinist Clarissa Bevilacqua. From 2021 to 2025, Daniel worked for the International Young Artists International Concerto Competition (IYACC) and SEEN Orchestra where he specialized in marketing and program management. In 2023 and 2024, he organized the IYACC Winners Recital at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois for two young artists.

Daniel performed in masterclass and has been taught by a range of highly-respected concert artists including Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Steven Osborne OBE, Sergio Monteiro, Asaf Zohar, Dr. Daniel Pesca, Dr. Winston Choi, Dr. Angie Zhang, Dr. Matthew Hagle, Frederick Moyer, Giacomo Scinardo, Dr. Kay Kim, Almita Vamos, and Aurelian Fort Pederzoli of the Lincoln Trio and Black Oak Ensemble.