This is the official website for all things Black Rock Philharmonic! Find up to date information on news, sign-ups, music, and our schedule of rehearsals and concerts at Burning Man!

The Black Rock Philharmonic has been performing classical music on Playa at Burning Man since 2018. We are an all inclusive orchestra, with musicians from around the world. From elementary age kids just learning their instruments to professional musicians, we come together at Burning Man to share our love of classical music.

The Black Rock Philharmonic is moving into the 2026 season at Burning Man with a new conductor. She’s a seasoned burner and a long time musician with the orchestra. Introducing… Danielle Mays!
In the late 1990’s, after getting a degree in Music Theory and Composition from Butler University and doing her graduate work at The University of Michigan, Danielle moved to California from Indiana, where she worked behind the scenes on camera in television, film, radio, stage and animation. She has recorded albums with Elektra Records, performed a summer on The Warped Tour, worked with new composers on film and ballet scores, performed in music videos, played rock, funk, jazz and indie music in all the famous LA clubs, and has done a variety of musicals where she has contributed her singing, dancing, and played multiple instruments in the orchestra pit. She even worked as the Directors Assistant to the director of The Simpsons Movie! While in LA, Danielle continued her passion for teaching working with Children’s Music Workshop, Key To Joy Music, Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, Harmony Project, and many others.
In 2011 Danielle was cast in a production of The Burning Opera, a rock opera by Mark Nichols about Burning Man. It was this production that Danielle was able to let all of her skills as consummate performer shine. Since then Danielle has attended the Burn every year, performing solos with the Black Rock Philharmonic and a live EDM orchestra with Miata Gami and Meir Briskman.
She moved to the Bay Area in 2020, where she continues to perform in bands and orchestras, while teaching band and orchestra in the Oakland area. She has a collection of over 50 instruments in her home and teaches everything from beginning strings and brass, all levels of woodwind, band, choir, orchestra, music theory, STEAM and so much more.
She is the principal bassoonist with the Tierra Symphony and has performed at many notable playhouses, theaters, and performing arts centers around Northern California.
Welcome to the Black Rock Philharmonic podium Danielle!
Play a classical instrument and plan on attending Burning Man this year?… sign-up to play with the Black Rock Philharmonic! Fill out this form to sign-up!
Find the music for our 2026 season here, later this spring!











Black Rock Philharmonic is a Partner in Arts and Culture El Dorado’s Arts Incubator Program. All donations are managed by our Fiscal sponsor, Arts and Culture El Dorado. Find more information at www.artsandcultureeldorado.org
DONATE to the Black Rock Philharmonic at http://artsandcultureeldorado.org/black-rock-philharmonic/
Shelly Crouse-Monarez, Concert Master
Erin Wyner
Danielle Mays- Conductor, and Artistic Director
{———-}- Assistant Conductor
Thomas Wyner
Randon Gardner
Erin Wyner
Burning Man 2026 is fast approaching. Don’t forget to sign-up, print and practice your music, and pack all the socks!
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Thank you for another fantastic season of beautiful classical music on Playa!
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