Daniel Vella

My Story

Daniel Vella began his musical journey at age 6 with trumpet lessons at Għaqda Mużikali Marija Bambina in Naxxar. His early training progressed through the Johan Strauss School of Music under Joe Agius and Paul Abela, and continued with esteemed tutors like Ray Cremona, Paul Borg, and Lawrence Borg, eventually obtaining Grade 6 in Theory. Daniel holds both the A.T.C.L. and L.T.C.L. diplomas in trumpet performance.
 

Daniel has performed with numerous orchestras and wind bands, including the National Youth Orchestra (2004–2005) and the Malta National Orchestra, where he held the role of 3rd & 4th trumpeter for over 60 concerts. He is a founding member of Big Band Brothers, performing across Europe and North Africa. His versatility spans genres, with studio recordings for acts like The Riffs and No Snow No Alps.

He is also an experienced theatre musician, featuring in productions like Chicago, Seussical, Fiddler on the Roof (as brass leader), and Matilda.
 

Daniel’s passion extends to teaching brass instruments at several local schools and bands, and he has conducted various ensembles. In 2016, he was appointed Musical Director of Banda San Leonardo of Ħal Kirkop. He has led performances in Rome, Sicily, and Madrid in collaborative cultural exchanges, and was recently named Musical Director of the Soċjetá San Pawl Banda Konti Ruġġieru of Rabat (2025).
 

In 2020, Daniel earned a Diploma in Wind Band Studies with Distinction from the University of Malta. As a composer, he released his first album Ftakar in 2019. His works have received awards both locally and internationally, including “Tarsena Suite” and “Mel’ Isma’”, and most notably, “Traffic Scents” (1st prize – International Clarinet Festival 2023, USA) and “Lament” (performed in Florence by Filarmonica di Firenze in 2023).
 

Deeply rooted in Malta’s band culture, Daniel continues to contribute through compositions, education, artistic direction, and national initiatives that enrich the local and international music scene.