Daniel Hawkins

A native of Chandler, Texas, Daniel Hawkins was appointed Principal Horn of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 2023. He previously served as Utility Horn of the San Francisco Symphony from 2017-2024. Hawkins has won several awards and competitions, including the International Horn Competition of America in August 2022. He was also the National Winner of the Music Teacher’s National Association Young Artist Brass competition in 2014 and won First Place in the Mid-South Horn Workshop Concerto Competition in 2010. Hawkins has performed with ensembles around the country, including the San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, Dallas Symphony and Detroit Symphony. He has participated in numerous music festivals, including the Lakes Area Music Festival, Arizona MusicFest, Tippet Rise Music Festival, Sun Valley Music Festival, Texas Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, Round Top Music Festival and the National Repertory Orchestra.

Hawkins started his college career at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, studying with Dr. Charles Gavin. After studying with him throughout high school and one year of college, he then transferred to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Horn Performance where he studied with former DSO Principal Horn Gregory Hustis and DSO Second Horn Haley Hoops (Becky & Brad Todd Chair). In August of 2015, he moved to Houston, Texas, to study with William VerMeulen and received his master’s degree from The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.