Kris Danielsen

Dr. Kristoffer Danielsen is a freelance trombonist and educator active throughout New England. Kris is currently the principal trombonist of the New England Repertory Orchestra and The Valley Winds, an American Prize-winning wind ensemble based in Western Massachusetts, and 2nd trombonist of the Glens Falls Symphony.  In addition to maintaining an extensive private teaching studio, Kris is a member of the faculty at Westfield State University and Keene State College, and has previously taught at UMass Amherst and Western New England University. He has also performed with the Albany Symphony, Lowell Chamber Orchestra, Cape Symphony, Portland Symphony, Eastern Connecticut Symphony, TUNDI Festival Orchestra, Janus Chamber Orchestra, Handel Society, Moscow Ballet, Nautilus Brass Quintet, Massachusetts Chamber Players, Pioneer Valley Symphony, Windham Symphony, Keene Chamber Orchestra, and Keene Jazz Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist with the Keene State College Wind Ensemble. He can be heard on the Grammy-nominated recordings “Fantastique” (MSR) and “Johan De Meij: The Symphonies” (NAXOS) and has recorded with the Albany Symphony. In addition to playing alto, tenor, and bass trombone, Kris also plays the euphonium and bass trumpet professionally and is the founder of The Valley Bones, a low brass chamber ensemble based in the Pioneer Valley.

A native of western Massachusetts, Kris holds degrees from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University (B.M. 2010), the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (M.M. 2013), and Boston University (D.M.A. 2018). He has studied with Greg Spiridopoulos, Gabe Langfur Rice, Toby Oft, James Olin, David Fedderly, and Steven Kellner. Kris has also attended the Spectrum Brass Seminar at the Bay View Chamber Music Festival and the Alessi Seminar in Eugene, Oregon, and served on the faculties of Shepherd University Trombone Day, Artspace Greenfield, The Prindle School, Northampton Community Music School, and Belchertown Public Schools, and has been published in Massachusetts Music News.