Danielle Hathaway was born in Philadelphia along with her twin sister Dana. At age six, her mother passed away, the twins were raised by their grandparents in Havertown, Pa. “Even as a child, I was always drawing, coloring and painting, and I always loved music.” as Danielle recalls some of her earliest memories. She attended Haverford High School, graduating in 2005. She attended Delaware County Community College for her basic courses, and then transferred to West Chester University where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. “I worked two jobs while putting myself through college and graduated summa cum laude. I also received an award for my body of work in printmaking.”
Although she had a passion for art, out of necessity, Danielle supported herself with steady jobs. She had already gotten a taste for the corporate atmosphere while working through college; a setting which often means working in a large structured company, with many departments, and a clear hierarchy, each with specific responsibilities. For most of her career, Danielle has worked in various corporate positions, first in banking as a part-time teller with Citizens Bank and later New York Bank of Mellon, where she was promoted five times during her eight years with the company in King of Prussia. In 2018 several factors contributed to her relocation to Berks County.
“My work was being outsourced, and I was looking for job security. During this transition I met my partner Bryan Betts, who lived in Berks County, through our mutual interests in music. I also met Donna Snyder, who thought that I would be a good fit at East Penn Manufacturing. In 2018 I was hired and relocated to the area to begin my job as a Marketing Coordinator for the company.”
While settling in at her new home in Berks, Danielle’s passion for art reawakened with a need to integrate it into her life in some form. “While I was living on my own I always did some sort of art; graphic design flyers, bridal shower invitations, save the date notes, logos, candy bar wrappers, all from scratch with no templates. I also enjoyed baking in artistic ways, especially cupcakes, and I started a Friday breakfast club at the bank where I would wake up at 3am and bring the breakfast in to work at 7am. I had access to a full pottery studio while at West Chester where I was able to do a lot with ceramics and printmaking.”
Since April 2024, Danielle has discovered a wonderful opportunity to network and pursue her passion to develop as an artist through Berks LaunchBox at the Goggleworks, which assists early-stage entrepreneurs with accessing tools and resources needed to launch and grow a business in Berks County. “I have taken classes on anything from building a website, to how to set up a booth for a fine arts show, to photography. I really enjoy the classes and take as many as they offer. I like so many things, especially making functional things – jewelry from clay, functional pottery, boutique items. My goal is to create things out of my home as a side business, selling online and at shows to channel my desire to create art.”
Her lifelong interest in music has also blossomed since her move to the area. “I played the guitar originally, but I really had an interest in playing trombone. In 2017 Bryan bought me a trombone and I began to take lessons. I wanted to play a pitch lower, so I got a bass trombone. I still wanted to play a pitch lower, so, as I was in the midst of moving and starting my new job, Bryan gave me a tuba for Christmas. In 2018 I sought out a new teacher, Ken Kemmerer, and I haven’t looked back.”
Danielle has since become part of the music culture in Berks County, where she is active in the Berks Summer Band Institute, The Exeter Community Band, and the Buccaneer’s Christmas Brass, volunteering her time and talents which include hours of lessons and rehearsal time outside of her job at East Penn. “I have been playing in the Exeter Community Band for several years. I thought it would be a great way to enhance my skills, so on July 13, 2021 I showed up and they didn’t kick me out.” she laughs. “We have a two-hour rehearsal every Tuesday, year-round.” The Exeter Community Band performs throughout the year at various venues, with many performances open to the public.
As the holidays approach, the music performance schedules increase, with a repertoire to rehearse. Since 2019 Danielle has performed with Tuba Christmas, which is held at various places around the country, an opportunity for tuba players to join together for holiday music performances. Danielle has participated in Lancaster, Reading, Baltimore, and this year hopes to add Hershey, and New York City. “It is open to anyone who can play the tuba, or euphonium, and it is the same music every year. Tuba Christmas will be held on December 5th in Lancaster, and December 6th at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading this season.” Danielle also performs with the Buccaneers Christmas Brass for two shows during the holiday season and five or six concerts at local retirement homes throughout the year.
This highly organized and busy young woman manages to balance her life to accommodate her job as a corporate employee as well as nurture her desire to create music and art. She and her partner, Bryan Betts, an outstanding guitarist with a performance schedule of his own, support one another in their musical endeavors, sometimes playing together, or doing pop-up open mics, especially around the holidays. They also find the time to visit family and friends with a genuine interest in tending to the things that matter most to them.
“Why is it important for you to pursue your artistic passions outside of your work in the corporate world?” I asked. “It is so important to do something that I love and something that is meaningful to me. It is an outlet for creativity, and is very helpful in managing stress. I love the people that I play with, and I try to go to everyone’s shows and support the other musicians.” Danielle has been involved with many volunteer programs throughout her career including Philabundance Community Kitchen, John James Audubon Trail Projects, and Break the Cycle of Poverty. “For me, I look at giving back, having the social connection, and having something bigger than myself to be the most important things; lessons that I learned from my grandparents. Say please, say thank you, and help people.”
Learn more: www.tubachristmas.com or follow Exeter Community Band on Facebook
