Dan Moffett earned his B.S. (’97) and Masters Degree (’04) in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His primary instructors of saxophone were Dr. Andy Wen and Debra Richtemeyer. While studying music at U of I Dan was a member of the top university wind symphony as well as serving as tenor saxophonist in the top university saxophone quartet. Dan also performed in university jazz bands, pep bands, small chamber ensembles, experimental music ensembles, rock bands, and the Marching Illini. During his time as a music student Dan has had the chance to perform under the batons of many notable conductors, including James Keene, Alfred Watkins, Colonel Arnold Gabriel, William Revelli, Harry Begian, Frederick Fennell, Gary Green, and Bruce Moss.
Currently Dan serves as professor of saxophone at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. Dan is also on staff as director of bands at Komarek School District 94 in North Riverside, IL.
In addition to teaching, Dan has an extensive performance background in jazz, classical, and popular music. He has been hired by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions to perform orchestral literature that involves the saxophone. He also performs regularly with members of the classic 60's rock band The Buckinghams, as well as with his own jazz combos The Dan Moffett Trio, The Swing Collective, and The Jazz Factory. His quintet The Jazz Factory recently recorded an album of all original jazz compositions on the Bradley Williams label title "Workin' Overtime" which is available for purchase on iTunes.
Dan is a member of the Jazz Faction Big Band, an 18 piece Chicago jazz ensemble that features current and/or past members of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Big Band, the Sammy Davis Jr. Orchestra, the Spinners, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Temptations, Frankie Avalon, the Ojays, Bobby Vinton, Lawrence Welk, Rosemary Clooney, and Louie Bellson among others.
For the past two decades Dan has been a member of the Eight Ball Saxophone Quartet, a small chamber group founded in Champaign, IL. Eight Ball specializes in music from all genres, including classical literature as well as jazz standards and popular music. Dan also currently serves as tenor saxophonist/soloist with Chicago's own 95th Street Band, a popular classic rock band that headlines many music and summer fests in and around Chicago.
Dan resides in Westmont, IL with his wife Karen and their three children. He currently maintains a private studio for young saxophonists out of his home in Westmont. Dan’s teachings focus on fundamentals, tone, expression, and on developing proficient technique thru the study of classical and jazz literature.