Meet Daniel Henderson, the orchestra director at Pattonville High School.

His orchestras at the high school are composed of a hierarchy, the highest to lowest, being Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and String Orchestra.

Henderson, 35, has been teaching for 10 years total and attended college at the HARID Conservatory as well as the University of Florida.

As a child, his inspiration was cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Upon being asked in a recent interview why he decided to become an orchestra teacher, he said that he “loves being able to share his passion for music with his students” and if he were to describe himself in one word, he would say that he was “passionate.”

Henderson is known among his students for being an exceptional and dedicated teacher while simultaneously incorporating humor during daily class sessions.

Henderson is also known for the annual field trips out of state that he takes with the combined orchestras, and occasionally the choir; this school year the orchestra is traveling to Nashville, Tenn., in April.

“My dream place to travel during one of these trips would be to Europe, amongst the cities of the great composers.”

His favorite students are “any who are practicing.”

As for now, Henderson continues to direct students and lead them into possible music careers.