Daniel Ward’s polymath approach is born from his passion and appetite for the diversity of music. Born in Los Alamos, NM to a nuclear chemist/conductor, he holds degrees in classical guitar and composition from the University of New Mexico. As a performer and composer, his work spans a wide ranging gamut: flamenco guitar, heavy metal, virtuosic ukulele, classical string quartets and four-hands piano pieces, kid’s music, jazz, commercial jingles, film soundtracks… he has what musicians call “big ears”.

His first instrument, the trumpet, informs his sense of breath and melody on guitar, where he found his natural abilities better suited. Honing his skills in the study of classical guitar, he found solo work stressful and lonely, and so gravitated towards more social genres. Fortunately, as a New Mexican, he found himself in an epicenter of World music, where opportunities to play and learn abound. Albuquerque’s Flamenco scene is the largest and most vibrant outside of Spain. Touring with dance companies provided him a “road scholarship” with great guitarists who taught him his 100 mile-and-hour technique. As Ottmar Liebert’s right-hand rumbero on successive world tours, he held down the groove, and learned the patience and humility it takes to survive as a professional.

In 2009 his life changed abruptly when he was given his first ukulele. Within a year he was teaching at festivals, translating his flamenco work onto four strings, writing etudes for students and inspiring awe with his fresh take on the most social of stringed instruments. His album “El Ukulele” showcases the breadth and mastery and humor of his approach, and his best-selling books Arpeggio Meditations and Melodic Meditations are favorites with students, teachers and enthusiasts alike. A book of Latin techniques and etudes is coming in 2025.

Daniel enjoys being a contributing editor at Ukulele Magazine, and has written lessons with videos for nearly every issue of publication since 2016. Danielworldmusic@gmail.com