For a full biographical history, please see https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/bukvich/about.html.

Daniel Bukvich Jr. was born in 1954 in Butte, Montana. Bukvich’s early interest in music was heavily encouraged by his mother, who was a fan of jazz music and often surrounded young Bukvich with many recordings and opportunities to learn more about music. Bukvich graduated from MSU with a degree in Music Education in 1976, the only music degree offered... at MSU at the time. During his time at MSU, he had conducted a percussion ensemble which had grabbed the attention of Professor Robert Spevacek, at the University of Idaho (U of I). Spevacek was in need of a graduate percussion TA to run percussion ensemble. Spevacek further influenced Bukvich’s decision to come to the University of Idaho by introducing him to William Billingsly who would be one of Bukvich’s most influential composition mentors.

Upon coming to U of I, Bukvich was soon given the job of directing the marching band. Bukvich recalls having no initial interest in directing the group but that the job eventually transformed into a 10-year composition lesson. During this time he ended up on the faculty at the U of I in 1977, where his teaching duties now include the percussion studio, first year music theory and aural skills, and jazz choirs.

After 15 years of being at the U of I, Bukvich was encouraged by Music professors William Billingsly and Ronald Klimko to re-develop an aural skills and theory program. He recalls Billingsly advising him to “find out what everyone else is doing and don’t do it.” Bukvich claims that to this day, the class’s curriculum is still changing, the goals haven’t changed but the methods certainly have.