“It’s an outlet. Music has gotten me through first loves and true love, stress, anger, loss and pain. It’s a way to transcend myself beyond reflection. It’s something I can create and control. It’s definitely a natural feeling,” he said.��

Inspired by his brother and father’s own guitar playing, Daniel picked up the guitar and started singing around age 10. His first public performance was during a high school culture day when he sang a duet with a friend. The support of friends and family led him to continue his passion for music, eventually landing in a college band.��

Daniel had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase his musical abilities in front of a national audience on ABC’s American Idol, where he wowed judges and made it to the second round on March 8.��.��

Daniel says he plays both the guitar and ukulele and enjoys making variations of well-known music.��

“I love playing songs that everyone has heard, but I like to take liberties and alter how people hear a song. Anything that I can make different is fun for me,” he said.��

As it relates to his future goals, Daniel plans to open a dental practice while also keeping music at the center of his life.��

“I want to show people that you can be passionate about multiple things — that you really can have everything you want,” he said. “The School of Dentistry has been so supportive of my goals outside of school. It means a lot that they see me as a whole person.” 

On the local level, Daniel will begin performing monthly at The Exchange in New Albany, Indiana, beginning this June.

“We went from having a great life and a great family to having nothing,” he said.��

His mom encouraged him to get an education to help overcome the challenge. Ibrahim started college when he was 15, studying tourism and business management. He eventually earned a scholarship to study translation and came to the U.S. — New York City — when he was 18.

He had $500.��

“I started hustling. I found a job the second day I came here. I worked many jobs,” he said.��

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he served as an NYPD officer helping with Arabic translation and “giving back to the country that has given me a chance.” 

He was with the police department for three years, serving while simultaneously studying dental hygiene. He chose to further the latter passion, noting, “I wanted to be that guy that can fix people.” 

UofL’s School of Dentistry stood out to him because of the faculty and environment.��

“It was the first time I felt very, very welcomed,” Ibrahim said. “If anyone would see me back then washing dishes or cleaning or doing this, they would have never said I’ll be the guy I am now. It truly is the American dream.” 

Check out Ibrahim’s story below: