Singer/Songwriter Dana James Makes Her Music Dreams Come True
Dana James performing at showcase at Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood, CA, May 25th, 2015
Photo by Brit Woollard
Dana James is a singer/songwriter who moved from Las Vegas to Boston when she was accepted to Berklee College of Music. Upon graduating from the college, the singer moved back home for a while before picking up her career in music in the heart of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles, Calif. Since the age of seven, she has a had a dedication to music, starting off with piano lessons when her teacher noted that all the songs she played on piano had lyrics. It was then her piano teacher told Dana’s mother that she wanted to sing, and so, James progressed.
Beginning voice lessons at the age of nine, James first focused on more “classical and operatic sound,” that helped her when she starred in Las Vegas Academy’s production of “Les Misérables.” However, upon turning to a new teacher, she began to focus on singing with a more contemporary sound. At age 16, she began studying under Coren Zai with Dreamweavers Professional Performing Arts. It was Zai who encouraged James to apply to Berklee College of Music to continue her music-inspired journey.
James was a featured performer on Berklee Performance Center stage several times, and finished her education there receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Performance. Now, at the age of 29, she is living in Los Angeles pursuing her musical dream.
“White & Black” EP album art photo shoot at the Old Zoo at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, CA
Photo by Brit Woollard
In April, James released her debut Extended-Play (EP) “White & Black,” featuring five tracks and recorded independently. Recording took her six months, but she had her songs written long before the recording process even took place. James was on her own financially when moving out to Los Angeles, and it took her a while to get on her feet.
“[I’m] just like every other artist with nothing but a dream,” James states. “I’m not the first dreamer to pack up and move to LA with no plan. It takes a while to get on your feet. I didn’t really plan well.”
Yet James seems to have no regrets, having wanted to release her debut ever since she graduated from Berklee. It took her a few years, but she has finally accomplished her dream.
With a slight twang to her voice and a similar vocal range as Carrie Underwood, James brings a more pop-feel to her music but could be on her way to full-country sound. From the belting she does in songs such as the title song “White & Black” and “The Love of the World,” the singer is also well on her way to being the next Demi Lovato or quite possibly, Christina Aguilera as her voice occasionally shows that scratchy but confident tone that Aguilera has.
James’s EP “White & Black” can be purchased on iTunes here. For more information on the singer, and to stay updated, check out her Facebook page or website.