by Heather PharesComposer/keyboardist Mychael Danna was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and showed musical talent early in life. Singing and piano lessons defined his childhood and early adolescence, but a hand injury at age 14 ended his piano career. Danna switched over to synthesizer instead and concentrated on his composing skills. After earning a degree in composition from the University of Toronto and winning the prestigious Glenn Gould Composition Award his final year there, Danna began his film scoring career, which includes over 15 features and documentaries. Danna also served for a time as composer-in-residence for the McLaughlin Planetarium in Toronto.His fusion of different styles of music and keen arrangement skills make Danna a versatile and popular artist, whether scoring films, working on his own new age compositions (Skys, Sirens), collaborating with his composer brother Jeff Danna (A Celtic Tale), or working with Tim Clement on electronic environmental pieces (Summerland, North of Niagra).