Dana has had a successful and exciting career as a world-wide touring musician and songwriter, while intermittently landing roles in the theatre and the big screen. She starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway hit musical ‘Love, Janis’ where she was discovered by director Julie Taymor who created specifically for Dana, the leading role of Sadie in the Golden Globe winning musical film ‘Across The Universe’. For the past 15 years she has been “on the road” touring and recording albums for her Germany based label Ruf Records. Dana is also a mindfulness practitioner for over 15 years and teacher of mindfulness to children and adults for over five years. She came to TAP after having her second child ready to make a career transition to life OFF of the road. “There has always been a “tug” at my heart to work with young people, specifically those who are faced with disadvantages that present barriers to their development, well-being and overall success in life”. Throughout the span of her touring career, she was often afforded the opportunity to work with children and young adults as a performance coach helping them to shed their performance anxiety – and self-consciousness in general – while learning to trust in themselves in the process. “This part of my career path became my most treasured experience and I am currently making a transition from full time performer to teacher and teaching artist.”
TAP Work:
“I am taking in all of the new information about what it means to be in a classroom at the service of our young people. I have learned so much in such a short time from my TAP instructors, Jay, Adrianna, Dale and Katie as well as my TAP cohorts who come from every art form as to why I am on this path toward fulfilling my other dream of working with children. I have been so inspired by the teachers and creators in the digital room.”
Most Memorable TAP Moment:
“I think my most memorable TAP moment was having to create a piece of visual art. Something I have always been afraid of and convinced that I wouldn’t be very good at. I loved how we were encouraged to use anything available including our morning coffee! With that I went on to make a painting of 3 angelic figures! haha. I couldn’t believe how fun and gratifying it was to do this.”
Find out more about Dana here:
