Dana Seufert
dana@fpcgg.org
Dana Seufert began playing the piano at the tender age of three. His mother, Ann Seufert, sat him on her lap, placed his little hands on top of hers, and proceeded to play nursery rhymes, hymns, and other “story book” songs while they both sang along. At age five, he was “volunteered” by his aunt, Myrtle Miller, the Director of Christian Education at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, to accompany his fellow children from the piano while they all sang youth hymns together during Sunday School. By age twelve, Dana was the full-time organist and accompanied the youth and adult choirs under the direction of his mother during worship services. His participation as pianist or organist, and eventually choir director, continued for the next several years.
Dana successfully managed to cram a four-year degree into six years, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice while also accompanying the University Choir at California State University, Long Beach. Dana began a Master’s program but paid musical opportunities interrupted his plan. Twenty-five years later he returned to CSULB, completed all course work, and is currently writiing his thesis for the Master of Music in Conducting. Dana expects to graduate in May 2010, if not sooner.
Dana’s musical career has taken him in many directions. Upon graduating with his Bachelor’s he was hired as the Staff Accompanist at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. He started with the Pageant of the Masters orchestra for the Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach, as one of two MIDI keyboardists in 1989. He was recruited out of the orchestra in 2002 to join the production staff at the Pageant where continues to serve each summer. In 1992 Dana was invited by the Minister of Music, Mark Yasuhara, of Honolulu First Presbyterian Church, to assist in the creation of a contemporary “praise band” for worship services. Starting in 1993 Dana was hired by Coda Music Technology to record the piano accompaniments to approximately 1400 songs that comprise the bulk of standard music repertoire used by music students and soloists, especially vocal students. Throughout his career his has been involved in musical theater in all sorts of capacities as well.
No stranger to the polities and inner workings of the Presbyterian Church USA, Dana was awarded his first Bible as a fourth-grader, confirmed at age 14, served as a Deacon, and ordained an Elder, the ordination service being officiated by his cousin, The Rev. Dr. Edward C. Peacock. Dana later served for six years on the Los Ranchos Presbytery Worship Committee, and he served annually at Presbytery-sponsored training events for newly ordained elders. Dana's passion as a member of Presbytery was teaching new elders how to effectively serve on the worship committees for their respective, local Sessions and congregations.
Today Dana is the Director of Music Ministries at Garden Grove First Presbyterian Church and a Music Instructor at Golden West College. His sensitivity to the Spirit allows for spontaneity in worship which is always welcomed. God is at work in his gift of music as he shares it with others. "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the Lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!" --Psalm 100:1-2
