Isaac Daniel began his musical journey as a 4-year-old playing and singing in church. These days, the 41-year-old musician, recording engineer, producer and educator mentors a new generation of young musicians as the executive director of Stax Music Academy.
Daniel — who attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and graduated from the University of Memphis, where he also played football — previously worked at the Memphis Music Foundation and the Memphis Slim Collaboratory. But, for the Millington native, the most gratifying role has been his work at Stax Music Academy, which he took over leadership of in 2022.
“Giving students a happy place where they can excel and do what they love, and also learn the skills they need to be fully functioning in society, that’s tremendous,” Daniel said. “To be alongside of them, helping them, and then watch them flourish and do great things is an amazing feeling.”
Founded in 2002, Stax Music Academy is a nonprofit, after-school and summer music institute located adjacent to the home of the legendary Memphis soul label Stax Records, now the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Stax Music Academy has been one of the city’s true success stories over the last two decades, as it has prepared several generations of students for post-secondary school success, whether it’s attending college or entering the music workforce.
Since coming on at Stax Music Academy, Daniel has emphasized more functional education elements to help students land long-term professional careers. This includes developing a production program, as well as reinforcing the study of music theory.
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Daniel notes that Stax Music Academy has partnered with the Los Angeles-based 1500 Sound Academy, a music education institution that provides courses in production, engineering, mixing, music business and artist branding, to work with students in Memphis. Stax Music Academy is also in the process of starting its own Memphis Music Employs program, which will provide various music education and training certifications for high school students from grades 9-12.
“Not only are we helping getting students on stage and performing at [Stax Music Academy], but we are helping to get them jobs when they get out of school and go into different professions,” Daniel said. “Memphis Music Employs is going to help with that as well, in terms of connecting our students to the music business and recording industry. We already have several former students working in production or engineering throughout Memphis.”
Daniel — who helped engineer the recent “Basie Swings the Blues” album, which won a Grammy earlier this year — adds that in several cases he’s gotten to work with former Stax Music Academy students in a professional capacity on recording projects.
“To see these kids grow and become successful, and then find we’re working together later on down the line on a project,” he says, “that really gives you a sense you’re doing things right.”