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Dana Starkell
Classical Guitar
Classical Guitar | Classical Acoustic Guitar | See all
Orland Park, Illinois
Will travel 3000 miles from Orland Park
About
***WINNER OF "TOP GUITARIST" IN 2011 ON GIGMASTERS***
Dana Starkell received Gigmasters Best of 2012 award and is their current National #1 ranked five-star solo classical guitarist. Dana performs at a wide range of events including wedding ceremonies, receptions, cocktail hours, and private functions. You will appreciate his prompt and professional service. Dana has a great passion for music, extensive performing experience, and a large repertoire of elegant and romantic classical guitar music to compliment your event, large or small. Dana is based in the Midwest and performs throughout the United States.
Dana began his solo career while undertaking a Guinness world record 12,000 mile canoe trip from Canada to Brazil. (Soon to be a major film based on the best selling adventure book "Paddle To The Amazon".) During a break from the voyage, Dana was befriended by Philip Keiler -- a student of famed New York guitarist, Alice Artz. This friendship led to Dana's first formal concert at The University of West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad and followed by an informal performance in Belem, Brazil. After returning from South America, Dana won the Senior Classical Guitar category of the Canadian held Manitoba Music Festival. More recently, Dana has attended master classes held by world renowned classical guitarist Christopher Parkening, and taken lessons from John Sutherland, David Brandon, and Norbert Kraft. Dana's six recording's include "Fantastic Voyage", a three CD collection of Renaissance, Spanish, and Baroque classical guitar masterpieces. ***Receive a signed CD when you book Dana for your event!
Dana Starkell received Gigmasters Best of 2012 award and is their current National #1 ranked five-star solo classical guitarist. Dana performs at a wide range of events including wedding ceremonies, receptions, cocktail hours, and private functions. You will appreciate his prompt and professional service. Dana has a great passion for music, extensive performing experience, and a large repertoire of elegant and romantic classical guitar music to compliment your event, large or small. Dana is based in the Midwest and performs throughout the United States.
Dana began his solo career while undertaking a Guinness world record 12,000 mile canoe trip from Canada to Brazil. (Soon to be a major film based on the best selling adventure book "Paddle To The Amazon".) During a break from the voyage, Dana was befriended by Philip Keiler -- a student of famed New York guitarist, Alice Artz. This friendship led to Dana's first formal concert at The University of West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad and followed by an informal performance in Belem, Brazil. After returning from South America, Dana won the Senior Classical Guitar category of the Canadian held Manitoba Music Festival. More recently, Dana has attended master classes held by world renowned classical guitarist Christopher Parkening, and taken lessons from John Sutherland, David Brandon, and Norbert Kraft. Dana's six recording's include "Fantastic Voyage", a three CD collection of Renaissance, Spanish, and Baroque classical guitar masterpieces. ***Receive a signed CD when you book Dana for your event!
- Anniversaries
- Bachelor Parties
- Bachelorette Parties
- Banquets
- Birthday Parties
- Children's Birthday Parties
- Celebrations
- Christenings
- Christmas Parties
- Church Services
- Clubs
- Community Events
- Conventions
- Corporate Functions
- Dinner Dances
- Events
- Festivals
- Fund Raisers
- Funerals
- Graduation Parties
- Grand Openings
- Picnic
- Private Parties
- Proms
- Restaurants
- Sweet 16 Parties
- Weddings
- Wedding Ceremonies
- Wedding Cocktail Hours
- Wedding Receptions
- WEDDING-Traditional --------------------------------------
- WEDDING-Contemporary --------------------------------------
- Here Comes The Bride Richard Wagner
- A Time For Us Romeo and Juliet
- Wedding March Felix Mendelssohn
- All You Need Is Love The Beatles
- Canon in D (Pachelbel's Canon) Johann Pachelbel
- And I Love Her The Beatles
- Ave Maria Johann Sebastian Bach
- Here Comes The Sun The Beatles
- Prelude in C (BWV 846) Johann Sebastian Bach
- In My Life The Beatles
- Prelude in D (BVW 1007) Johann Sebastian Bach
- Lucky Jason Mraz
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring Johann Sebastian Bach
- Only Time Enya
- Minuet in G Johann Sebastian Bach
- Love Song Tesla
- Air on the G String Johann Sebastian Bach
- Over The Rainbow Harold Arlen
- Largo Antonio Vivaldi
- Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton
- Gymnopedie I Erik Satie
- Storybook Love Mark Knopfler
- Trumpet Voluntary Jeremiah Clarke
- Isla Verde Dana Starkell
- Ode To Joy Ludwig van Beethoven
- Veracruz Dana Starkell
- Kemp's Jig Anon.
- Delphina Azul Dana Starkell
- Corina Santino Garsi Da Parma
- Just The Way You Look Tonight Jerome Kern
- Simple Gifts Joseph Brackett
- Make You Feel My Love Bob Dylan
- SPANISH --------------------------------------
- (SPANISH) --------------------------------------
- Adelita Francisco Tarrega
- Cajita De Musica Francisco Tarrega
- Lagrima Francisco Tarrega
- Lento Francisco Tarrega
- Maria Francisco Tarrega
- Recuerdos De La Alhambra Francisco Tarrega
- Spanish Romance Traditional
- Gallarda Gaspar Sanz
- CLASSICAL-BAROQUE --------------------------------------
- (CLASSICAL-BAROQUE) --------------------------------------
- Praeludium Johann Sebastian Bach
- Presto Johann Sebastian Bach
- Allemande Johann Sebastian Bach
- Courante Johann Sebastian Bach
- Sarabande Johann Sebastian Bach
- Bouree Johann Sebastian Bach
- Gigue Johann Sebastian Bach
- Allegro Giusto Antonio Vivaldi
- Allegro Antonio Vivaldi
- Prelude Robert De Visee
- Allemande Robert De Visee
- Courante Robert De Visee
- Sarabande Robert De Visee
- Gavotte Robert De Visee
- Minuet I & II Robert De Visee
- Bouree Robert De Visee
- Gigue Robert De Visee
- Sonata in A Domenico Cimmarosa
- Sonata in C#m Domenico Cimmarosa
- Sonata in D Domenico Cimmarosa
- Prelude Johann Sebastian Bach
- Loure Johann Sebastian Bach
- Gavotte En Rondeau Johann Sebastian Bach
- Minuet I & II Johann Sebastian Bach
- Bouree (E Major) Johann Sebastian Bach
- Gigue (E Major) Johann Sebastian Bach
- Etude Sencillos Leo Brower
- Gymnopedie 1 Erik Satie
- Gymnopedie II Erik Satie
- Gymnopedie III Erik Satie
- Koyunbaba-Presto Carlo Domeniconi
- Dee Randy Rhoads
- RENAISSANCE --------------------------------------
- (RENAISSANCE) --------------------------------------
- Masquerade Anon.
- The Foog William Bride
- Willson's Wilde Anon.
- A Toy Jane Pickering's Lute Book
- Double Time Anon.
- Dance - Danza Anon.
- Treccie D'Oro Anon.
- Currant Anon.
- Round Battle Galliard John Dowland
- Mistress Nichols Almand John Dowland
- Mistress Winter's Jumpe John Dowland
- My Lady Hunsdon's Allemande John Dowland
- Come Again John Dowland
- Dance For A Lady Cesare Negri
- Catena Of Love Cesare Negri
- Song Of The Nymphs Cesare Negri
- I Know Who Has Fun Cesare Negri
- White Flower Cesare Negri
- Galliard - Sink-A-Pace Anon.
- Se Io M'Accorgo-Madrigal Anon.
- Bockington's Pound Francis Cutting
- Greensleeves Anon.
- The Squirrel's Toy Francis Cutting
- Saltarello Vincenzo Galilei
- Robinson's May Thomas Robinson
- Entree De Luth Robert Ballard
- Watkin's Ale Anon.
- Go From My Window Anon.
- Gallarda Gaspa Sanz
- Corrente Gaspa Sanz
- Pavana Gaspa Sanz
- Giga Gaspa Sanz
- Classical Acoustic Guitar
- Classical Guitar
- Guitar
Reviews (133)
Valentine's Day Party
in Chicago, IL
on 02/14/2009
"Hello Dana:
Thank you for your performance at Monticchio's Valentines Day Dinner in Chicago. The music was outstanding and we greatly enjoyed your performance which set a perfect background for the evening. We hope to have you return for a future engagement.
All the Best.
Jim Delelio
Owner
Monticchio"
- Jim D.
Wedding
in Saint Paul, MN
on 10/04/2008
"Dana was perfect and exactly what we had in mind for our wedding. His playing was soft and romantic. He listened to our ideas of what we wanted and came up with the perfect play list for our big day. He was polite, well-mannered, well dressed and we would choose him again for a next special event and we recommend him to anyone looking for an acoustic guitar sound; he has a wide variety of selections and we even got a CD of his music. Just awesome. Thanks Dana!"
- Richard C.
Wedding
in Chicago, IL
on 09/19/2008
"I found Dana with Google, called him on the phone & after speaking with him could tell that he was well qualified to entertain the guests at the rehearsal dinner for my son's wedding. Dana provided us with a clear & reasonable written contract. He communicated with the restaurant people regarding technical details. His appearance at the event (tuxedo) excellent. His guitar playing, top notch. The high point of the evening was when he dedicated a song (Romanza d'Amor) to the bride & groom-to-be. Unforgettable."
- George S.
Wedding
in Appleton, WI
on 06/20/2008
"Dana, I was thrilled with your punctuality, professionalism, dependability, and performance at our wedding. So many of our guests asked where we found you and agreed with us that your music was the finishing touch on our day. Your prompt communication with us before the wedding, including the phone call we received to let us know you were on your way, helped to ease my nerves, and your follow-through was impeccable. The music was beautiful, and I cannot imagine our wedding ceremony or reception without it. Your music helped to make our day exactly the way we envisioned it. Sarah and Vince Salvia"
- Vincent S.
Wedding
in Ames, IA
on 05/10/2008
"Dana's guitar added a lovely atmosphere to our reception causing us to
receive innumerable compliments from our guests. Dana was very
friendly and helpful, and he was very easy to work with. We used an
uncommon hymn at our wedding, but Dana set and played a very nice
four-part setting of it as an accompaniment for our congregational
singing. We were very pleased!"
- Hannah S.
Wedding
in Memphis, TN
on 05/09/2008
"Dana, Thank you so much for playing at our wedding. We could not believe how beautiful your playing was. Your music provided the perfect environment for our ceremony and your selection was impeccable. We appreciated the time you took to discuss the arrangements that worked for us and even playing samples over the phone so we could choose the perfect songs!. Everybody in attendance commented on your skills and we will surely tell others of you. Both Meredith and I wish to thank you again and let you know how wonderful it was to have you play at our wedding. Thank you and best wishes. Donnie and Meredith"
- Donnie G.
Wedding
in Spirit Lake, IA
on 07/19/2007
"Dana is an exceptional talent! His heart plays through his music and stories - it is truly a delight to work with him. His music set just the right mood for our events both in the restaurant and off-site. We look forward to bringing Dana back to Spirit Lake again and again!"
- Jennifer R.
Private Party
in Fort Worth, TX
on 06/09/2006
"Dana was absolutely perfect for the dinner party wedding rehearsal for my son and his fiancee at the Ft. Worth Blue Mesa Restaurant on June 9, 2006. His music was very elegant as well as his performance and mannerisms. I would highly recommend Dana Starkell for any occasion that needs beautiful, soft romantic guitar classical music. I can't compliment him enough. He simply added a gentle romantic atmosphere for our family's evening and we thought he was just great! He added the perfect touch to a beautiful evening! Carolyn May, Arlington, Texas"
- Carolyn M.
Wedding
in Austin, TX
on 05/08/2006
"Dinah and I wanted to thank you for the outstanding job that
you did playing at our wedding on May 8th! Your playing was
stylish yet simple and was the perfect touch to our wedding.
The sound samples on your web site do not do you justice! We
will recommend you to anyone looking for that special something
to add to their event. Kevie and Dinah"
- Kevie and Dinah B.
Wedding Ceremony
in Omaha, NE
on 08/25/2012
"Dana was so wonderful to work with for our wedding ceremony. He worked hard to make our ceremony special for us. He went above and beyond when it came to learning songs that we requested. We felt so lucky to have found him and could not have been more pleased with his services. Not only is Dana very talented, he is also a genuinely great person and we felt he truly took great interest in making our ceremony perfect. "
- Aly B.
Wedding Reception
in Chicago, IL
on 06/08/2012
"Dana played for both our wedding ceremony and our cocktail hour at our reception. He arrived on time, was incredibly professional and played beautifully. We could not have asked for an easier person to work with and felt he did a wonderful job. We got so many compliments for having such beautiful music played at both the ceremony and cocktail hour. It really set the mood for the rest of the evening. Thank you so much Dana! We would recommend you to friends and family in a heartbeat!
Sincerely,
Rick and Joann Cikowski"
- Joann P.
Wedding Ceremony
in Canmore, AB
on 09/17/2011
"Dana, Thank you for making our wedding day very special. The music was perfect for our backyard wedding, and we had many compliments during the evening and afterwards. We and our guests were also thrilled that you were able to share some of your amazing stories about your travels."
- James U.
Wedding Ceremony
in Cedar Rapids, IA
on 06/11/2011
"The music was exactly what my daughter had wanted for her wedding; classic and classy, beautiful music that didn’t over power the ceremony, but completely complimented it!
Mr. Starkell was professional in every way and extremely talented. Many guests complimented his guitar work. We couldn’t have been more happy with the musician we chose for our daughter’s wedding! Mary A Weems
"
- Rachel W.
Wedding Ceremony
in Omaha, NE
on 09/05/2010
"We loved Dana! He is an AMAZING guitarist and we loved hearing him perform. It was the perfect choice for our outdoor wedding ceremony. Thanks again for performing at our wedding."
- Ashley P.
Wedding Ceremony
in Mackinac City, MI
on 06/26/2010
"Really excellent job Dana! I wish I could have heard more of your playing as we were having our photos taken during the cocktail hour, but you got rave reviews form everyone...highly recommend you to anyone:)
Maria & Jon"
- Maria C.
Wedding Ceremony
in Saint Louis, MO
on 06/27/2009
"My wife and I were so lucky to have discovered Dana and his talents. He is an incredibly skilled guitarist who was willing to play whatever we wanted, arranging several pop songs beautifully even though he had never heard them before he met us! Dana was also incredibly flexible on the day of the ceremony. He had no problem making changes to the set list just minutes before the ceremony started. Despite the heat (100 degrees) at our wedding, Dana played beautifully. We still get compliments about his playing from guests. Dana is both an amazing guitarist and a great person. I would recommend Dana to anyone looking for a professional guitarist."
- Chris G.
Wedding Ceremony
in Wichita, KS
on 05/30/2009
"My experience with Dana was great. He was very accomodating with all of my requests and was very helpful in selecting music for the ceremony. Dana demonstrated his talents and flexibility when he continued to play during a 30 minute pre-wedding delay, not missing a beat. "
- Michael L.
Christmas Party
in Des Moines, IA
on 12/18/2012
"Dana provided a wonderful atmosphere for our event. His playing is absolutely beautiful and he was the epitome of professionalism. I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone wanting to add that little something extra to their special occasion. I am now looking for anything else where I can use his services just so I can have the opportunity to hear this talented musician again. Amazing!!! Bridgett Moreland
"
- Madge C.
Event
in Bettendorf, IA
on 12/01/2012
"Dana spoke to our club about his epic journey with his father and ended the evening by playing a few classical guitar pieces he learned during the trip. He captivated the whole room with his stories of suspense, adventure and humor! His speaking style was as if he was an old friend! Thanks again!!!!
Lynne Majetic "
- Lynne M.
Wedding Ceremony
in Galena, IL
on 11/10/2012
"Dana was great to work with, and we would recommend him without reservation. He was very accommodating to our requests for musical selection and singer accompaniment. His performance was great, and we couldn't be happier with the overall experience we had with Dana."
- Troy M.
Wedding Ceremony
in Omaha, NE
on 09/07/2012
"Dana,
Thank you so much for being part of our big day. The ceremony was perfect thanks in no small part to your beautiful music. Thank you for making it a wonderful, very memorable day, and thank you for making it a fun experience working with you. Thank You, Matt & Heidi"
- Matt K.
Wedding Ceremony
in Omaha, NE
on 05/18/2013
"Dana was absolutely fabulous to work with! He was responsive to all of our emails and questions in a timely manner and very easy to get in touch with--which I cannot even begin to say how much I appreciated. Dana took time to go through all our wedding music selections with us (played everything through, offered suggestions, noted music styles we liked/disliked, and got to know us).
Dana made the very long 4.5 hour drive to and from Omaha. He was punctual, professional, and arrived early to set up, meet the bridal party, and rehearse with our vocalist.
We highly recommend Dana and his talent. We are so glad we decided to have him play on our wedding day! "
- Halley C.
Christmas Party
in Iowa City, IA
on 12/13/2012
"Hi Dana!
You were so great to work with.
Have a happy New Year!
Jil"
- Shary H.
Wedding Ceremony
in Iowa City, IA
on 05/12/2013
"Dana Starkell was wonderful to work with and his music was outstanding at my daughter’s outdoor wedding at The Celebration Farm in Iowa City, Iowa in May 2013.
Thank you Dana!"
- Mary C.
Wedding Reception
in Saint Louis, MO
on 05/03/2013
"Dana,
You went above and beyond to make our ceremony and reception enjoyable for us and all of our guests. Your pre-session planning was crucial to making sure all of the details were finalized and that things went according to plan. Your music provided a great atmosphere for the cocktail hour and multiple guests have inquired about you with compliments.
You are a very talented musician and you did an outstanding job.
Thanks again and best of luck!
Travis Dearmont
"
- Travis D.
Wedding Ceremony
in Saint Louis, MO
on 05/03/2013
"Dana,
You went above and beyond to make our ceremony and reception enjoyable for us and all of our guests. Your pre-session planning was crucial to making sure all of the details were finalized and that things went according to plan. Your music provided a great atmosphere for the cocktail hour and multiple guests have inquired about you with compliments.
You are a very talented musician and you did an outstanding job.
Thanks again and best of luck!
Travis Dearmont
"
- Travis D.
Wedding Ceremony
in Kewanee, IL
on 05/04/2013
"Dana,
Lisa and I are in Mexico pool side and just downloaded your songs! Your music has gone much further than the ceremony. Listening to your wonderful music here on our honeymoon is unbelievable. Words cannot express the joy in our hearts. Your playing during the ceremony was amazing and to hear it now as we celebrate our new life together with the music we wed to is simply amazing!
We had so many compliments on your playing. We are so happy our guests could enjoy your music as much as we did!! You did such an amazing job at our ceremony. We will never forget that day and your music.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Mr and Mrs Salisbury"
- Lisa B.
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Why book Dana Starkell through GigMasters?
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Learn moreIn addition to Orland Park, Dana Starkell will also travel to Mokena, Tinley Park, Palos Park, Oak Forest, Palos Heights, Frankfort, Lemont, Lockport, New Lenox, Palos Hills, Country Club Hills, Midlothian, Oak Lawn, Worth, Alsip, Chicago, Chicago Ridge, Hickory Hills, Joliet, Matteson, Robbins, Willow Springs, Hazel Crest, Hinsdale, Justice, Posen, Bridgeview, Blue Island, Burbank, Darien and many other locations in and around the Orland Park area.
Dana Starkell
, based on reviews by
133 GigMasters clients.
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