Mr. Brenner
About Me
My name is Dan Brenner, and I am the Director of Modern Music (Grades 9-12) for the Spring Grove Area School District. I teach Modern Band 1, Modern Band 2, Select Modern Band, and Songwriting.
The 2026-2027 school year will be my 25th year of teaching. I was honored to be a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Educator Award and to be named an Outstanding Teacher by Shippensburg University. Our Modern Band Program was recognized as an Exemplary Program by Shippensburg University, and our Select Modern Band was nominated for the prestigious "Youth Band of the Year" by the Central Pennsylvania Music Awards (CPMA's). I have placed students in District, State, and National music festivals.
I am a graduate of Lebanon Valley College, where I earned two bachelor's degrees: a B.S. in Music Education and a B.A. in Music with a concentration in Jazz and Percussion. I also hold a master's degree in Classroom Technology from Wilkes University, a master's degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, and a certificate in Modern Band from Lebanon Valley College.
Outside of school, I perform as a solo artist, as well as with Mark DeRose and the Dreadnoughts. I have recorded six albums and can play drums, hand percussion, guitar, piano, and bass. I am also a singer. I have had the honor of sharing the stage with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Blues Traveler, Michelle Branch, and Laura Story. I have also shared the stage with other national artists such as: Clark Terry, Delta Rae, The Gin Blossoms, Edwin McCain, and Rusted Root. I am also a studio session musician and enjoy doing drum repair.
I love most sports. Hockey is my favorite (Hershey Bears, AHL) (Washington Capitals, NHL), but I also enjoy basketball (Philadelphia 76ers), football (Penn State Football), and Sprint Car Racing (Logan Schuchart is on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Tour and was a former student of mine). I enjoy coffee, cooking, experiencing new food, Sour Patch Kids, anything with coconut, movies, television, and spending time with my family.