Expert Repair Technician Daniel Pencer plays and repairs woodwinds specializing in flute, saxophone, and clarinet. He holds a Master’s degree in Composition and Improvisation from the New England Conservatory (MM 2014) and a Bachelor’s degree in performance from the University of Toronto (BM 2007). In 2008, he spent eight months studying Hindustani Classical music in Lucknow, India where he focused on the clarinet, bansuri, and tabla. In 2015, he attended the World Music (Persian and Eastern traditions) residency and more recently the Collective Composition Lab for Music and Dance (2018, 2019) at the Banff Centre for the Arts. As a composer, Daniel has written and performed music for radio, podcasts, dance, and award-winning music and sound design for theatre. He is a regular touring member with singer songwriter Andy Shauf and British electro pop legends Soft Cell.
Daniel apprenticed in woodwind repair with Pascal Veraquin and Eric St-Amant in Montreal, Quebec (2009-2012). He is Straubinger (2021) and Muramatsu (2023) certified. He is sought after for his meticulous adjustment and padding work, dent and scratch removal wizardry, and fine attention to subtle detail.
What flute do you play?
Muramatsu DS
What made you interested in learning flute repair?
What separates flute repair from other woodwind instruments is the unique padding. The challenging art of shimming is what initially attracted me to focusing on flutes. Spending time with flute players, of course, is always pleasant and reason enough to learn how to repair their instruments.
What is your favorite flute piece?
I love the playing of Kudsi Erguner!
Where is your favorite place to eat in NYC?
My kitchen!