Dana is a graduate of the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, AZ, and interned as an audio engineer at The Music Grinder recording studio in Hollywood, CA. He has attended master classes held by Christopher Parkening at Montana State University, and taken lessons from John Sutherland, David Brandon, and Norbert Kraft.

Since 1982, Dana has performed extensively in classical, renaissance, spanish, and baroque styles. He won 1st place in the Senior Classical Guitar category at the Manitoba Music Festival in 1983. Dana's concert experience includes performances at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Centennial Concert Hall, and Saint John's Chapel at the University of Manitoba. While living in Canada, he was a regular entertainer at various venues including The Round Table, The Factor's Table, and Merteens skywalk restaurant.

From 2004-2006, Dana performed in San Diego, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, TX. He now lives in the Quad Cities, IA where he performs locally and throughout the midwest including Chicago, St. Louis, and surrounding areas.

DANA STARKELL began fine-tuning his skills as a classical guitarist during a world record 12,000 mile canoe trip from Canada to Brazil. Incredibly, his guitar survived the entire two-year adventure. During a break in Port of Spain, he was befriended by Philip Keiler (a student of New York guitarist, Alice Artz). This friendship led to Dana's first formal concert at The University of the West Indies.

Dana has released a number of CDs since returning from his trip to South America. His most recent project "Fantastic Voyage", is a three CD collection of Renaissance, Spanish, and Baroque music which is slated to accompany an upcoming film based on the book "Paddle To The Amazon".

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