Meet Drummer Dena......Dena began drumming at a very early age. She fell in love with the music of the Carpenters and the notion of becoming a drummer after seeing a concert and meeting Karen Carpenter backstage. She began private lessons at age eight. Dena studied privately until she was 16. She also joined several 'garage' bands, the first of which when she was 13. She played her first paying gig within the year and was hooked. Music was put on hold while Dena attended Penn State University, earning a B.S. in Human Development. & Family Studies. Upon returning home to New Jersey, she worked her way back into music, performing with local theatre productions, cover bands and original projects. While earning her post-graduate degree from Seton Hall University (M.A. ducation/Counseling Psychology), she worked consistently throughout New Jersey and Manhattan, doing both live shows and studio work.
This experience proved invaluable in 1998 when she received a call to audition for New York City-based female rockers Antigone Rising. The band consistently toured for several years, racking up 260 show per year. They were signed by Lava/Atlantic and released "From the Ground Up" in conjunction with Starbucks' Hear Music Debut series. It has sold well over 250,000 copies.
Other opportunities included a VH1 special, appearances on the Today Show, Tonight Show, Emeril Live and A&E's Breakfast With the Arts, as well as opening slots for the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Allman Brothers, Rob Thomas and Joan Jett. Some of Dena's other recent projects include sessions with Lisa Loeb and Robert Randolph, live appearances with local acts, African hand drumming school workshops (NJ After 3) and wellness workshops (Greystone Psychiatric Hospital, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center). While continuing her own private studies, Dena is a certified drum therapist with the DAD program (Drums and Disabilities), a freelance writer for Modern Drummer magazine, clinician, private teacher and an adjunct Professor at Passaic County Community College.
FAVORITE BEATLE-JOHN LENNON (RINGO STARR-A CLOSE SECOND)
FAVORITE BEATLE SONG-
Dena says, "Trying to choose a favorite Beatles' song is like trying to pick a favorite child, you really can't!" Here are a few:
Across the Universe
Help
Nowhere Man
I'm a Loser
She Said She Said
This experience proved invaluable in 1998 when she received a call to audition for New York City-based female rockers Antigone Rising. The band consistently toured for several years, racking up 260 show per year. They were signed by Lava/Atlantic and released "From the Ground Up" in conjunction with Starbucks' Hear Music Debut series. It has sold well over 250,000 copies.
Other opportunities included a VH1 special, appearances on the Today Show, Tonight Show, Emeril Live and A&E's Breakfast With the Arts, as well as opening slots for the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Allman Brothers, Rob Thomas and Joan Jett. Some of Dena's other recent projects include sessions with Lisa Loeb and Robert Randolph, live appearances with local acts, African hand drumming school workshops (NJ After 3) and wellness workshops (Greystone Psychiatric Hospital, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center). While continuing her own private studies, Dena is a certified drum therapist with the DAD program (Drums and Disabilities), a freelance writer for Modern Drummer magazine, clinician, private teacher and an adjunct Professor at Passaic County Community College.
FAVORITE BEATLE-JOHN LENNON (RINGO STARR-A CLOSE SECOND)
FAVORITE BEATLE SONG-
Dena says, "Trying to choose a favorite Beatles' song is like trying to pick a favorite child, you really can't!" Here are a few:
Across the Universe
Help
Nowhere Man
I'm a Loser
She Said She Said
