Biography
Shane Dähler was given his first drum kit when he was 8 years old. With the opportunities provided to him at his local school’s excellent music programs, he was able to develop his craft even further in competitive high school marching band, playing timbales, cahons, congas, and the drums. Shane accepted a scholarship to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Massachusetts.
He has been incredibly fortunate to the many mentors he has had, and is grateful to these figures of music, who include Rakalam Bob Moses, Neal Smith, Jabali Billy Hart, Jerry Bergonzi, Michael Moore, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Holland, John Ramsay, Ryan Loud, Javon Jackson, and Ben Tileston. Shane as recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston, with honors in December 2021. He is currently on the percussion faculty at the Nantucket Community Music School in Massachusetts.
Shane has been involved in a variety of music scenes as a sideman and an occasional leader. Some venues include the Blue Note, Amsterdam; The Tabernacle, London; Symphony Hall, Boston; Jordan Hall, Boston; Mass. Inst. of Tech., Cambridge; Harvard University, Cambridge; Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston; Boston Jazz Festival; Woodstock Opera House, Illinois; The Whaling Museum, Nantucket; The Gaslight, Nantucket.
As a member of the Siparia Deltones Steel-pan Orchestra, Shane travels to Trinidad & Tobago annually to play in various festivals, schools, and venues around the country. He also teaches percussion lessons to local youth during his residencies in Trinidad & Tobago. Shane can be heard on, “Cousoumeh” by Akinola Sennon, released in 2016 on Ropeadope Records.
“Shane both intellectually and emotionally understands the underlying thematic life forces of the music he plays. His talent is strengthened by attention to detail and a dedication to perfection.”
His mission is to use music as a catalyst for social and cultural awareness.
