Daniel Shoemaker

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Dan Shoemaker grew up a book lover, interested in everything under the sun. A mean Scrabble player, Dan developed a way with words early on that he continuously honed, including writing for a music blog as a high schooler. He then attended the University of Richmond as a studio art major, where he was first published as a poetry critic. Graduating with honors in his major as a multidisciplinary artist, focusing predominantly on digital media and criticism, Dan now applies his artistic eye to writing in many forms.

Recently, Dan was a frequent freelance contributor to the New Haven Independent and New Haven Arts Paper as a cultural critic, covering local events and connecting them with broader artistic themes. He also developed a love of tutoring, excelling in building 1 on 1 relationships with students to help them achieve their full potential. Building rapport is key with students; he prides himself on finding a variety of ways to reframe and communicate concepts, a benefit of his background in art. Now in his second year at HelloCollege– in 2025 he was an Auxiliary Editor– he looks forward to helping students find their voice and write compelling and vivid stories. 

Now based in Chicago, Dan spends his free time attending concerts, cycling, and playing with his beloved dachshund Lulu.