Debut Orchestra Conductor
Dana Green is a violinist, educator and conductor. With the support of his parents, Dana began studying the violin when he was five years old with Steve Bjella. In the course of his education as a musician, Dana went on to study with Brian Groner, Laura Miller, Hilel Kagan and Theresa Fream.
Dana graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from DePaul University in 2004 and went on to earn his Masters in Music with a specialization in Music Education from Northern Illinois University and more recently studied rehearsal techniques at Indiana University under the tutelage of Dr. Cliff Colnot. Since graduating, he has logged thousands of hours on the podiums of Vernon Hills High School, Naperville North High School, Mill Street and Naper Elementary Schools, the West Suburban Youth Orchestra and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.
At Naperville North, Mr. Green grew the program from 46 to 154 students while simultaneously tripling the orchestras at both Naper and Mill Street Elementary Schools. Mr. Green created three extra-curricular ensembles at the high school involving over 130 string players.
Dana has led ensembles to place first in national music competitions in Seattle, San Francisco, Boston and New York. Orchestras under Mr. Green’s baton from both Naperville and Vernon Hills have been selected as featured performers at the Illinois Music Educators Conference.
For 10 years, Mr. Green served as one of the directors of the West Suburban Youth Orchestra. While in that role, he worked with students in grades 4 through 11 on symphonic literature. Mr. Green continues to serve as a chamber coach for the OPUS Chamber Music Program, where he works with student ensembles on string quartet performance practice.
Dana is a highly sought-after music educator and serves regularly as contest adjudicator and festival guest conductor. His energetic and inspiring style have served to engage students and communities throughout the Midwest. Mr. Green is currently the Director of Orchestras at Vernon Hills High School and director of the Chicago Youth Symphony’s Debut Orchestra where he continues to spread the joy of music.
What is your favorite piece to play or conduct?
A few years ago I had the opportunity to conduct the Finale of Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony with the Debut Orchestra. That remains one of my favorite conducting experiences because the piece is incredible and the orchestra sounded unreasonably good. There are so many moments that seemed designed to pull an ensemble apart, but when things flow just right, conducting that piece is like being on a spine-tingling rollercoaster ride.
What is your favorite musical memory from when you were young?
My mother and father were both professional musicians. When my brothers and I were young, we were given access to the backstage of their performances and even on some of their international tours. For as long as I can remember, music has been this thing that electrifies the air and acts as a passport to other worlds.
