Growing up in a family of musicians, Dan Mitchell (pictured at left) of Stevens Point has always had music in his head. Now he�s being recognized for bringing that music to life.

Mitchell, a senior jazz studies and composition major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has had two of his original compositions recognized for excellence through two national songwriting contests.

His instrumental piece, "The Dawning of a Soul," won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers/H. Robert Reynolds Wind Ensemble Composer�s Competition. Mitchell will go to New York City May 26 through 30 to work with Reynolds, who will conduct a performance of the piece by the National Wind Ensemble in Carnegie Hall on May 28.

That same composition was chosen by a committee of conductors from across the country as the first place winner in UWSP�s first Young Composer�s Contest held last year.

Mitchell also was named as Wisconsin�s finalist in the 2005 National Association for Music Education�s John Lennon Scholarship Program for his pop/rock song, "Anything But Fall in Love." The 50 finalists are eligible for a $10,000 scholarship and two $5,000 scholarships, with the winners announced in June.

The son of Mary Ellen and Ted Mitchell, who own Mitchell Piano Works in Stevens Point, Mitchell first began playing the trumpet just to stand out in his piano playing family. He began composing songs for the trumpet in middle school but began seriously writing music when he was a junior at Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) and was in a band that played small venues in town.

Mitchell now primarily uses the piano to write his music, which is inspired by life events, his moods or a picture in his mind that he wants to convey through song.

"Sometimes I have a project in mind," he says, like when a friend of his asked him to write a piece for a high school jazz band. "Other times I just sit at the piano and play until I come up with something. It works both ways."

Mitchell originally planned to study engineering in Milwaukee but turned to UWSP instead. Here he has found mentors in music faculty members Charles Rochester Young, coordinator of composition and music theory; Mathew Buchman, director of jazz studies; and Scott Teeple, director of bands.

"The more I worked with them, the more I wanted to study music," he said. "They have been so helpful and have become more like good friends who are supportive in all aspects of my life."

"Dan has succeeded because he persevered when others wouldn't have done so," said Young. "He has made extraordinary growth in his mental, physical, and emotional life and "Dawning of a Soul" reflects that. Dan also understands how to communicate with audiences at a very high level. All of these skills and attitudes will continue to serve him well in everything that he writes."

Mitchell says that while he�s overjoyed with the opportunities the competitions have given him, he knows he needs to keep reaching out with his music to get it published and become well known in the music business. He plans to attend graduate school and hopes to teach at the college level while he writes and publishes his music.

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