Q: You once mentioned that someday you would like to go back to school for a degree in education. Can you tell us more?
Daniel: I have often felt that someday when my time came to slow down it would never suit me to do nothing. The best way I can think of to give back all that I have been given is to pass on what I have learned. I believe that we grow by our experiences and we can help others grow by sharing those experiences. I owe my career and even the life I lead, in part, to my mentor Elliot Dorfman. Although our friendship ended poorly, he taught me the fundamentals of voice. He instilled in me a love for classical music and the romantic era of music where my spirit loves to roam. He took a chance on me and dedicated a large part of his life to teach me what I needed to survive in the music world.
I would like to pass on my love for music and the lessons I have learned and to do so I feel I need to learn how to teach. I have seen many voice coaches who take on the very delicate task of training a student to sing with nothing more than the credentials of having won a voice competition somewhere. How many horror stories are there of students having their voices ruined by charlatan teachers who do not understand the proper way of teaching or the workings of the vocal cords, hard and soft pallet and resonators to name a few. All play an important role in proper voice technique. I want to learn to teach properly and then with great care and understanding help young singers reach their full potential.
Q: What are your thoughts on being described as you were recently, as a survivor of 9-11?
Daniel: I consider myself a survivor of 9-11 because there were several times that day when I made my peace with God and was ready to face the end. I was near ground zero for the fall of both towers and the fall of the smaller building later in that morning. I certainly was a thin line away from joining my friends who lost their lives that day. I believe I was spared because I had a job to do and it served God better to have me be an instrument of his love through music. I certainly know that I am here because God wills it and not by anything I might have done.
Q: As you look back over the past 3-4 years, have there been any surprises?
Daniel: I think what surprises me the most is how many people have come into my life in such a short time. I have been overwhelmed with kindness and grateful friends who have shared their lives with me. I have met celebrities who have exceeded my expectations and some have shattered my images of them. I have stood side by side with new friends I have made that have life altering disabilities and found them to be more courageous, determined and inspired than those of us who have it all yet find ourselves complacent. I have been given more than I can ever repay but through each and every soul that has touched my life I find the fortitude to continue. Through words, deeds and song I pay homage to them (you) each and every day.
Q. Have there been any humorous moments on stage that you can share with us?
Daniel: I think one of the funniest moments in my career came pre-9/11 at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops. Skitch Henderson had made an arrangement of Be My Love for me to perform with the Pops. That same day, CNN "Making the Most of It" with Jenny Most, was profiling me as the "singing police officer." We spent the morning filming my police duties around Manhattan, driving in my radio car, talking to community people, then performing at Carnegie Hall that evening. I took the stage in uniform and began singing "Be My Love." Most of my performances of that song were sung once through because my shows featured a lot of music. Skitch had written the song with a musical bridge going back to the second verse. After the musical bridge, I forgot the words to the second verse, but being the professional I am, started making up lyrics on the spot! Just when I was about to find my way back to a familiar place in the music, Skitch stops the orchestra. The cold chills ran down my spine and I remember thinking to myself, " You've just screwed up at Carnegie Hall - think FAST." I asked Skitch what happened, and he replied, "After the bridge we are supposed to return to the second verse." At which I replied, " Skitch, I'm a cop. If it isn't the Brooklyn or Manhattan Bridge, I have no idea what you are talking about!" The crowd loved it. Skitch began to play, I began to sing, and ended the song in true Lanza style, with an enormous B flat! I received a standing ovation for my mess up!
Q. How do you feel about your children seeing their father achieve his life long dream.
Daniel: I am very happy that my children have been able to see all that I have done to reach my dream. I hope that this will show them that perseverance and hard work do pay off if you start out with the right frame of mind. My children know well that I have always maintained a positive outlook on life no matter the circumstance. That's not to say I went around happy as a clam during the rough times of my life, but I never lost hope and always tried to find the humor in every situation, once the tension started to ease. My children have inherited that sense of humor and I hope that it will allow them to journey through the rough times knowing that there will always be something they can laugh at when the road smoothes out. I also believe that I am showing my children that fame and success are not the beginning and end of it all. You don't have to be a star to be a success or have achieved great feats of heroism to be famous. Fame and fortune are within. If you are true to your passions and work hard for the things that are important in life, like caring, kindness, friendship, faith and family then where ever you wind up you will be a success and, to those you love and those who love you, you will be famous.
Q: Do you get nervous before a big performance and do you have any rituals?
Daniel: I get anxious, not nervous. I am confident in my abilities. I am like a fighter, I throw a few jabs and I pace a lot. I have tea with lemon and honey and eat an apple slice.
Q. What would you like people to remember about you?
Daniel: I hope people will remember the regular guy that held on to a dream until God saw fit to grant it to him. I want people to listen to my music and say: there is a singer who remained true to his idea of what his music should be and didn't succumb to what others thought would be a great way to get rich quick, by singing what was popular or trendy. He sang what was in his heart and about things that touched something inside. He sang with freedom in his voice which some singers would be afraid to do for fear of losing their voice or hurting something. He did this because he believed that God gave the gift to share with all his ability and if God saw fit to take the gift away, then so be it. I save nothing for a glorious future, for my future is now and tomorrow is promised to no man. I wish to be remembered as a loving father and husband, as a man of faith and a caretaker of those less fortunate.
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