Daniel Shao is a versatile British-Chinese flautist who regularly performs with national orchestras, chamber ensembles and as a soloist. Praised for having “virtuosity, charm, and charisma in abundance” (Ivan Hewitt, The Telegraph), Daniel has appeared as guest principal with the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Ulster Orchestra. He has also performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Daniel was previously an Associate Member of the Philharmonia (2019-2021), Principal Piccolo with the European Union Youth Orchestra, and a Fellow of the Music Academy of the West.

Daniel’s awards and recognition include winning the Royal Over-Seas League Competition Wind Prize 2024, featuring as a Classic FM Rising Star 2023, and being televised as a BBC Young Musician Wind Finalist 2014. As a concerto soloist, he has performed with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (UK premiere of Ma Shui-Long’s Bamboo Flute Concerto), Oxford Philharmonic, and Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Daniel is passionate about contemporary music and has worked as a guest principal with the London Sinfonietta and Riot Ensemble. He is a founding member of the artist collective Tangram, Associate Artists at LSO St Luke’s.

Daniel studied at the University of Oxford and Royal Academy of Music with Samuel Coles and Gitte Marcusson, graduating with first-class honours and an honorary DipRAM respectively.