Pianist and Flautist Dane Gentles pursues a diverse performance and music production career as an orchestral musician, a jazz pianist, and a solo recitalist at multiple orange county high schools and other venues. He's participated in numerous all-county band and orchestral concerts, as well as concerts for the New York Band Directors Association. During his high school career, he's received multiple scores of 98 or better for the New York State School Music Association auditions, which give him opportunities to perform with area all-state bands. Dane also participates in Valley Central's Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Chamber Choir. He will be attending Drexel University and going for a bachelor's degree in Music Industry.
Since the 1st Grade, Dane has taken private lessons for the piano and is highly trained in classical and jazz music. His teacher, Diane Miller, is a nationally certified New York State Music Teacher who has experience with kids of all ages and teaches piano and voice lessons. Through his private lessons, Dane has accomplished several feats, such as reaching international status for the National Guild of Piano Teachers Program through in-person piano auditions and receiving distinction scores for the Associated Board of the Royal College of Music(ABRSM) based in London, UK. Through this program, Dane has studied high-level music theory with Diane Miller and is currently working on completing the level 6 portion of ABRSM's program.
As well as learning piano, Dane also takes private flute lessons with instructor Amy Fiorito. Since the 4th grade, he has excelled in learning music ranging from Paul Taffanel to Mozart and has performed in several orchestras and bands for Valley Central High School, and Orange County.
In addition to his performance experience, Dane was given the opportunity to perform as a piano soloist for a wedding. Playing a selection of 10 memorized songs, he was the background music for welcoming guests and played "Here Comes the Bride" for the married couple. He was also selected to perform as a flautist at the Sydney Opera House in Australia for the Honors Performance Series High School Honor Band.