Bio

Dr. Brian McDaniel, a 2018 California Teacher of the Year and 2019 Global Teacher Prize Top 50 Finalist, is a music educator who has raised over $1 Million  through grants, donations, sponsorships, and fundraisers to ensure access for every child in his program. As an educator, he has successfully built award winning Elementary, Middle and High Schools music programs, serves in Leadership with various school and teacher organizations, and is an Educational Justice Advocate who is passionate about helping students overcome obstacles through academic opportunities. Choosing to serve in a Title I school, he founded The Regiment, his student-led music organization that serves as a safety net for students; helping kids to overcome the trials of school and life. The Regiment continuously improves school climate and academic performance by living up to their motto of rising “Beyond All Expectations”.
"We have the power to pave our own path to success.”

Related Experience

High School Cultural Music Exchange, Tokyo, Japan
Guest Band, Jazz Ensemble & Symphonic Band  2024.

97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York
Band Directors' Marching Band Member. 2023.

Metallica's "For Whom the Band Tolls Marching Band"
Interviewee & Guest Band, 2023.

133rd Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena
Band Directors' Marching Band Member. 2022.

Culture Feed's In Character: The Impact of Teaching the Arts on Student Appreciation of Culture
Panelist . 2021.

Saluting America's Band Directors' Marching Band
Founding Member . 2021.

California State University, San Bernardino
Presenter, Educational Leadership Summit . 2021.

Steinway Society of Riverside County
Board Member. 2021.

New Jersey Music Education Association Conference
Panelist, Transitioning Music Courses Online . 2021.

California State University, San Bernardino
Presenter, Inspiring Teacher Speaker Series . 2020.

Global Education & Skill Forum, Dubai, UAE.
Teacher Panelist, Creativity in Schools. 2019.

Sanford Inspire, San Diego
Webinar Presenter, Caring Beyond Expectations. 2019.

Center for Curriculum Redesign
Research Study Collaborator,  2019.

California State University, Long Beach
Keynote Speaker & Teacher Panelist, 3rd Annual Music Education Rally.  2019.

Sanford Partnership Summit, San Diego
Keynote Speaker & Teacher Panelist, Teaching Beyond Expectations. 2019.

California State University, San Bernardino
Presenter, Inspiring Teacher Speaker Series . 2019.

International Music Education Summit
Teacher Panelist, Organizing Music Collaborations. 2019.

Schools First Financial Credit Union , Tustin
Keynote Speaker. 2019.

San Diego County Office of Education
Keynote Speaker, Community of Champions. 2019.

BOOST Conference, Palm Springs Convention Center
Workshop Presenter, Building the Dream. 2019.

California State University, San Bernardino
Keynote Speaker & Teacher Panelist, Education Summit.  2019.

National Coalition for School Safety, Birmingham, AL.
Founding Member. 2019.

Perris Elementary School District
Workshop Presenter, Foster Youth Parent Workshop Series, 2019.

California After-School Network, Queen Mary Long Beach
Keynote Speaker & Workshop Presenter, Site Coordinator Expanded Learning Symposium. 2019.

Education Committee, City of Desert Hot Springs
Keynote Speaker. 2019. 

Music Teachers for Global Peace
Member. 2018. 

California Department of Education, Los Angeles
Workshop Presenter: Title I Conference. 2018.

California Department of Education, Pomona
Keynote Speaker, Extended Learning. 2018.

Brandman University, Palm Desert Campus
Guest Speaker, New Teacher Program.  2018.

University of Redlands and Corona Norco USD
Guest Speaker, Better Together Summit.  2018.

California Teacher of the Year, Koriyama, Japan.
Guest Speaker, Various Schools.  2018.

California State University, San Bernardino
Keynote Speaker, Credential Commencement.  2018.

California Department of Education, Sacramento
Keynote Speaker, Teacher of the Year Gala.  2018.

California Teachers Association, Los Angeles
Guest Speaker, State Council.  2018.

Ted Herman Orchestra, Indian Wells
Guest Band, Jazz Ensemble.  2015, 2017.

College of the Desert, Palm Desert
Guest Band, Wind Symphony. 2014.

Community & Cultural Affairs, City of Desert Hot Springs
Commissioner. 2012, 2013. 

University of California, Riverside
Guest Band, Steel Drum Orchestra. 2012.

University of Redlands
Author, Dissertation: Academic Achievement Between  Title I Students Enrolled in Music. 2011.  

California Education Research Association, San Francisco
Presenter, 88th Annual Conference. 2009.

California State University, San Bernardino
Guest Conductor & Guest Band, Wind Symphony. 2008.
                  
University of California, Los Angeles
Guest Band, Golden Eagle Regiment. 2007, 2010.

Awards & Nominations


  • Who's Who in America Award Recipient. 2020.
  • "Made in the California State University" Outstanding Alumni, CSU Long Beach & CSU San Bernardino. 2019.
  • Distinguished Alumni, California State University Long Beach. 2019.
  • Distinguished Alumni, California State University San Bernardino. 2019.
  • Global Teacher Prize Top 50 Finalist. 2019.
  • Featured Member, Schools First Credit Union. 2019.
  • Grammy Music Educator Award Nominee. 2019.
  • Life Changer of the Year Nominee. 2019.
  • National Teacher of the Year Nominee. 2018.
  • California Teacher of the Year. 2018.
  • Grammy Music Educator Award Nominee. 2018.
  • Life Changer of the Year Honor Roll Award. 2018.
  • Street Naming: Dr. Brian McDaniel Way, City of Desert Hot Springs. 2018
  • Riverside County Teacher of the Year. 2018.
  • Mayoral Proclamation: Dr. Brian McDaniel Day, City of Desert Hot Springs. 2017.
  • Palm Springs Unified School District Middle School Teacher of the Year. 2017.
  • Painted Hill Middle School Teacher of the Year. 2017.
  • Big Heart Award: Middle School Teacher of the Year, Desert Hot Springs Rotary. 2016.
  • Palm Springs Unified School District High School Teacher of the Year. 2014.
  • Desert Hot Springs High School Teacher of the Year. 2014.

Under my Direction:
  • Japan Tour: Tokyo, Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, & Osaka, Featured Music Program. 2024.
  • Hollywood Heritage Music Festival, Grand Sweepstakes. 2023.
  • Anaheim Heritage Music Festival, Grand Sweepstakes. 2022. 
  • Barbara Sinatra Children's Foundation Olympian Luncheon, Featured Ensemble. 2022.
  • Rancho Mirage Writer's Festival, Featured Ensemble. 2020.
  • Hollywood Heritage Music Festival, Grand Sweepstakes. 2019.
  • California Teacher of the Year Gala in Sacramento, Featured Ensemble. 2018.
  • Hollywood Heritage Music Festival, Grand Sweepstakes. 2017.
  • San Francisco Heritage Music Festival, Choral Sweepstakes. 2016.      
  • International Festival of Gold Invitational, Los Angeles, Featured Ensemble. 2015.
  • The Desert Theatre League, Best Musical Director Nominee . 2014.
  • Southern California Judging Association, California State Champions. 2014.
  • San Francisco Heritage Music Festival, Grand Sweepstakes. 2014
  • Southern California Judging Association, California State Champions. 2013.
  • Anaheim Heritage Music Festival, Grand Sweepstakes. 2012.
  • McCallum Theater Open Call, Finalist. 2012.
  • San Francisco Heritage Music Festival, Grand Sweepstakes. 2011.
  • McCallum Theater Open Call, Finalist. 2011.
  • The Desert Theatre League, Best Musical Director Nominee . 2009.
  • Chicago Heritage Music Festival, Second Place Jazz Ensemble. 2008.
  • New York Heritage Music Festival, Third Place Concert Band. 2007.

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