Dan Monte Calvo

Banjo

Dan Monte Calvo has been all over the world with his banjo, accumulating the influences of many amazing musicians that shifted his paradigm of music and life. He has toured with the Transatlantic Bluegrass Band and French bluegrass band The Apple Trees. He also writes and composes original music.

In 2014, after twenty two years as a firefighter, Dan set out to play banjo in as many different countries as possible and documented it on his blog, The Dan Project, which was featured on Fox 13 News Seattle. He spent nine years traveling through England and Europe playing banjo both solo and in bands. He lived in Costa Rica and Central America for six years where he produced a bluegrass music festival. In 2024, he returned to Seattle after a few years living and traveling throughout Southeast Asia, playing music with other travelers and at open mics, always with his banjo in tow!

Dan believes it is important to guide students and give them the tools they need to play and experience all types of music. “To create their own music and style is so important,” he says. “It comes with time, determination and most of all, desire.”

Specialties: Bluegrass, Progressive/Melodic

Levels: Total Beginner to Intermediate

Ages: Middle School and up

Rates: $45 for 30 min, $55 for 45 min, $65 for one hour

Availability: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Online/In-Person: In-person only

For Dan Monte Calvo, it was play from the word “go.”

When were you first introduced to banjo and what got you “hooked”?

I grew up in a musical family and all six kids and my parents played. There was always music in our house. I was visiting a friend and her had just started playing the banjo. He played me a tune and I was hooked! It was the coolest sound I had ever heard. I was at the music store the next day, rented a banjo, and signed up for lessons.

What is one of your most memorable experiences as a performer?

I have been playing with the same core group of friends for over twenty years. Whenever we get together to perform, it’s pure magic. It’s like we are connected in a strange way. So much fun!

Do you have any good practice tips for banjo players, or musicians in general?

First and foremost, I feel you truly have to want to play. It’s a burning desire inside. Second, don’t quit. Your practice will have good days and not so good days. Keep going. Also, use a metronome, practice slow, and play each note clean. Speed will come in time. When I’m at home, my banjo is out and easy to reach. Even if it’s just for ten to fifteen minutes, I will pick it up and play a song, scale, or maybe an idea for a song I’m writing.

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