“There’s something powerful about a chorus that already knows who it is and continues to prioritize growth. I’m honored to be part of what comes next for the San Diego Chorus.”

— DAN WESSLER, PHD

Dan Wessler, DMA
San Diego Chorus Musical Director

Dr. Dan Wessler brings an extraordinary combination of musical expertise, performance experience, education, and human-centered leadership to the San Diego Chorus. Named Musical Director in 2026, during the chorus’s milestone 75th anniversary year, Dan leads with a philosophy rooted in belonging, positivity, ownership, and growth, creating an environment where singers are both supported and challenged to reach their full potential.

A sought-after choral conductor, barbershop arranger, educator, coach, and performer, Dan has worked with ensembles at every level, from community and collegiate choruses to internationally recognized championship groups. His approach blends technical precision with musical storytelling, helping singers move beyond simply performing the notes to creating meaningful experiences for one another and their audiences.
With an average score of 95.6%, Westminster was named the 2024 BHS International Chorus Champion in 2024.

​Dan also serves as Musical and Artistic Director of the Westminster Chorus, one of the most celebrated ensembles in barbershop history. Westminster is a five-time Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Champion and the 2009 “Choir of the World” Pavarotti Trophy winner. Under Dan’s leadership, the chorus continues its tradition of extraordinary musical achievement while fostering an inclusive community centered on education, artistic expression, and lifelong singing.

An accomplished performer himself, Dan sings bass with After Hours, the 2018 Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Champion. The quartet performs throughout the United States and internationally, and Dan frequently creates arrangements for the ensemble. That experience as a championship-level singer gives him a performer’s perspective that informs his work from the podium, connecting musical choices with communication, authenticity, and audience impact.
Dan sings Bass with After Hours Barbershop Quartet, the 2018 BHS International Quartet Champions

​Dan has been arranging music for barbershop quartets and choruses since 2011. His arrangements have been performed on district and international contest stages, as well as in performances around the world, with several published by Hal Leonard. His work spans competitive and performance repertoire and is created for ensembles across a wide range of voicings and configurations.

A committed music educator, Dan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado Boulder, a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Western Illinois University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bradley University. He serves as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Concordia University Irvine and is also a certified BHS Music Category Judge and faculty member with the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Dan is a frequent clinician and coach, working with quartets and choruses around the world to strengthen musicianship, refine performance, and discover what makes an ensemble uniquely its own.
For the San Diego Chorus, that combination of artistry and humanity matters.
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As the chorus celebrates more than 75 years of harmony and looks toward its next chapter, Dan brings both a deep respect for its legacy and an eagerness to explore what comes next. His goal is not simply to build better singers, but to build a musical community where every singer has ownership in the journey, every voice contributes to the whole, and excellence grows from connection.

Dan’s experience extends well beyond the barbershop stage. Before moving into his current collegiate and professional roles, he spent eight years as Director of Choral Activities at Freeport High School in Illinois, where he led a program of more than 200 students across five ensembles, including concert, treble, varsity, and show choirs. His conducting background also includes university, community, church, and theatrical ensembles, giving him experience with singers of widely varying ages, abilities, musical traditions, and performance goals.
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Education and service remain central to Dan’s work. He has taught conducting, arranging, rehearsal technique, vocal production, and barbershop style at programs and conferences throughout the United States and internationally, including Harmony University, Holland Director’s College, European Harmony Academy, and events in Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan. He has also worked extensively with young singers through Barbershop Harmony Society Youth in Harmony programs, serves as a certified BHS Music Category Judge, co-founded Harmony College Midwest, and has served as Outreach Chair for the Association of International Champions (AIC).

A Leader, Mentor, & Performer Across the Barbershop Community
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Dr. Dan Wessler directing the Westminster Chorus at the 2024 BHS Chorus Contest.
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Dan Wessler was among a panel of BHS judges at the first Barbershop Convention in Japan.
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Dan is a frequent Instructor and Coach across the Barbershop Community.
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Dan sings Bass in the 2018 BHS Barbershop Champion Quartet, After Hours.
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Dan is an adjunct Professor at Concordia University in Irvine.
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Dan with colleagues at the BING! Barbershop Convention in Germany.
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Dan steps in to perform for Gabriel in Smoke Ring.
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Dan is a frequent clinician at BHS's Harmony University.
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Dan is an acclaimed coach and arranger across multiple barbershop organizations.

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Barbershop Harmony Society

Dan is a certified Music Judge, arranger, educator, coach, and championship performer within the international barbershop community.

Harmony University

Dan serves on the faculty of Barbershop Harmony Society’s premier educational program, coaching and teaching singers, directors, and ensembles.
Westminster Chorus
Dan serves as the Musical and Artistic Director of the five-time Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Champion, Westminster Chorus.
Concordia University Irvine
Dan serves as adjunct faculty, bringing his expertise in choral conducting, music education, and performance to the university community.

RECENT NEWS

San Diego Chorus Names Dan Wessler Musical Director

The announcement comes in a milestone 75th anniversary year ...

Dan Wessler, PhD, Guest Coach for San Diego Chorus

Wessler coached the chorus in August of 2024 ...

First Barbershop Convention Hosted in Japan

Dan Wessler among BHS Judges at the first Japan Barbershop ...

    Contact Dan Wessler