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About Us

Nurturing inspiration. Cultivating artistry. Creating possibilities.

The Dana School of Music is a vibrant community of faculty and students that leads in the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge. We encourage creativity and collaboration and advocate for the importance of the arts in our society.

For nearly 160 years, we’ve been known for our musical excellence and exceptional academic preparation. Our alumni include multiple Grammy® Award winners, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, and distinguished performers, music educators, scholars, and composers who have become international leaders.

The school presents more than 100 public events each year and is a major artistic and cultural resource for Youngstown State University, our community, and northeast Ohio.

World-class faculty

Our faculty members are distinguished performers, scholars, composers, and pedagogues. But no matter how varied their illustrious reputations or areas of focus, they are also dedicated mentors and inspiring teachers who share a passion for shaping the next generation of musicians.

Each year, our students also engage wth renowned artists and scholars who give guest lectures and master classes or serve as invited conductors.

Explore our areas of study

We offer numerous undergraduate and graduate majors and programs in multiple areas of study and provide opportunities for you to diversify your studies with a variety of elective courses, minors, certificates, and skills you’ll use throughout your professional life.

Explore the opportunities

Multiple performance opportunities + real-world experience

Dana School of Music has a wide range of opportunities to perform, both within the school as well as in the community. Our annual events include performances by wind bands, choirs, jazz groups, string orchestras, contemporary ensembles, Musical Theatre pit orchestras, opera scenes, soloists, and more. We offer a rich diversity of performance experiences for all university students, including those in other academic programs.

Attend an event

Explore our ensembles

Community engagement

Community engagement is part of our DNA. We are committed to serving all aspects of our region and ensuring that the Mahoning Valley and surrounding areas are immersed in the highest quality music and music education. Our outreach activities are embedded in our curriculum and provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities for students.

Find out more

All-Steinway School

The Dana School of Music is the first public and one of only eight All-Steinway music schools in Ohio, featuring 92 Steinway instruments. Our exclusive practice facilities include Steinway grand pianos reserved for piano majors and minors. Other pianos are housed in classrooms, practice rooms, and faculty studios throughout Bliss Hall.

Youngstown State University