Christopher Charles McDaniel hails from East Harlem, NYC. He began his ballet training at the Dance Theatre of Harlem School at age 10, working closely with DTH founder and School of American Ballet/New York City Ballet alumnus Arthur Mitchell. He subsequently studied dance at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, Boston Ballet, and Ballet Academy East. After graduating from high school, Mr. McDaniel joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble and toured for two seasons. In 2010, he joined Los Angeles Ballet and danced featured roles in a number of contemporary, classical, and neoclassical works. While a member of LA Ballet, he was also involved in the development of company outreach programs and initiatives. After performing with Ballet San Antonio as a guest artist in fall of 2015, Mr. McDaniel joined that company as a demi-soloist to dance the title role in Peter Pan. He was promoted to the rank of soloist the following spring. In the fall of 2017, Mr. McDaniel joined Dance Theatre of Harlem. Over six years with DTH he performed featured roles in works by Robert Garland, George Balanchine, Ulysses Dove, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Darrell Grand Moultrie, among others, before retiring from performing in 2023. Mr. McDaniel has worked as a ballet instructor throughout his performing career. He has served on the faculties of Los Angeles Ballet School, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Ballet Conservatory of South Texas, San Antonio Ballet School, and Connally’s Dance Workshop. In 2018, Mr. McDaniel joined the summer faculty of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and guest faculty of Ballet Academy East. As a choreographer, Mr. McDaniel has created works for Ballet Academy East, Los Angeles Ballet, Lake Tahoe Dance Festival, Ballet San Antonio, Ballet Conservatory of South Texas, Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Virtual 2020 Vision Gala, for the 2022 Stars of American Ballet tour and most recently the 2024 LaGuardia High School Graduation Dance Concert! Mr. McDaniel made his feature film debut in “Happiness” as Trey. He also appeared as himself in the Starz series Run the World. Mr. McDaniel began his association with SAB as a member of the 2016-2017 School of American Ballet National Visiting Fellows cohort. From 2021-2023, he served as an SAB Teaching Fellow, and in September 2023 he was appointed to the School of American Ballet’s permanent faculty.