Daniel Ott, Ph.D., was recently promoted to senior associate dean of Arts and Sciences at Lincoln Center. He previously served exclusively as an associate professor of music theory and composition. His courses include ear training, music composition and music theory. This year, Ott is teaching on a reduced schedule to accommodate serving in both positions.
In an email, Ott spoke on his experience as a professor of music and related it closely to the collaborative arts. “I like to think that working with others comes as a natural part of my artistic expression and now, also, in an administrative role within the university,” he said about how his background in music education affected his approach to his role as dean.
Ott’s education includes a Bachelor’s of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music in 1997, and a Master’s of Management from 1999 as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts in 2004, both from The Juilliard School.
He is an award-winning composer whose pieces have been heard at music venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Much of his work includes ballet pieces. In fact, Ott has recently been commissioned by the New York City Ballet, according to his official university profile. He received the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts & Letters and the Morton Gould Young Composer Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation.
Ott described the visibility of the music department at Lincoln Center as strong, citing that students are often invited to perform at concerts or Fordham-hosted events. Fordham recently opened the Rev. Robert Grimes, S.J., Music Studio at Lincoln Center as a resource for students.
“Something I hope all students know is that you don’t have to be a music major, or even minor, to do any of those things,” Ott said. “Musical activities at Fordham are open to all who have the time, interest, and desire to make music!”
Ott also said that Fordham’s music department is alive and thriving at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center. He emphasized that faculty in the music department are always open to assisting students.
“Students on either campus are welcome to drop me a line, or reach out to the Music Program offices,” he said.
Ott is a member of the Lincoln Center faculty, but also frequently teaches at Rose Hill out of necessity. He explained that because the music department has a small faculty, he is often needed at both campuses.
Ott currently teaches “Music Theory III,” a core requirement for music students.
“I wanted to teach this class because I have taught most of the students before, either last spring in Music Theory II or in another class,” Ott said.
Next semester, Ott will be teaching “Music Composition,” which lies in his area of specialization. It is also a course that he designed from the ground up.
“It also involves a close collaboration with an outside musical ensemble with whom I have a close professional relationship, so I consider it my ‘baby,’” he said.
Courses taught by Ott in the past include Introduction to Musicianship/Ear Training & Sight Singing, Diatonic Harmony, Counterpoint, Music Analysis and Chromatic Harmony.
Ott practices in the area of concert composing, wherein he composes music for orchestral, vocal and chamber ensembles, more in line with the classical tradition.
“I am especially fond of composing music that will be choreographed, and have written a number of contemporary and modern ballet scores,” Ott said.
