Originally from Central Illinois, Dani’ca Richardson is a dynamic conductor and educator whose passion for music and performance has led her to the podiums of ensembles and opera companies across the country. She holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Northern Illinois University, where she honed her craft and developed her vibrant conducting style.

From 2018 to 2021, Dani’ca served as Assistant Maestra with Charlottesville Opera, working on acclaimed productions including Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart), Into the Woods (Sondheim), Carmen (Bizet), Camelot (Lerner and Loewe), and La Bohème (Puccini). Her work with the company showcased her versatility and deep understanding of both operatic and musical theatre repertoire.

Recent highlights include guest conducting the Rocket City Bones Trombone Ensemble in Huntsville, Alabama, and serving as Music Director for Athens State University’s productions of Evil Dead: The Musical and Green Day’s American Idiot. She has also appeared as a Guest Conductor with the NIU Philharmonic Orchestra—featuring Chicago Symphony Orchestra tubist Gene Pokorny as soloist—the Illinois Music Education Association Large Ensemble Festival, and the NIU Wind Ensemble at both the Great Plains Tuba and Euphonium Conference and the Indiana Music Education Conference.

Dani’ca has participated in prestigious conducting workshops, including the Kent State University and NIU Conducting Symposia, and has led performances with the Fermi Community Orchestra Flute Choir and NIU Wind Symphony, as well as serving as Assistant Maestra for NIU Opera Theatre’s productions of Amelia Goes to the Ball and The Medium (Menotti).

Now based in Decatur, Alabama, Dani’ca continues to inspire musicians as Assistant Conductor for both the Madison Community Band and the Athens State Community Band. She also shares her expertise as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Alabama A&M University and Athens State University.

Dani’ca is a proud member of WBDI (Women Band Directors International), NAfME (National Association for Music Education), and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.