Amber McKenna

Adjunct Professor of Music Dana Libonati, a staple in the Linfield music department, has a habit of sharing his passion for music without even intending to.
He is often seen performing at Linfield dinners, holiday parties and local events. Most recently he performed at last month’s 16th Annual McMinnville Wine and Food Classic.
Libonati said he has performed at the festival for the past few years, but has been a fixture in the music department since 1991. While here he has taught jazz choir, jazz piano, music theory, music fundamentals and music form and analysis. Libonati also teaches music at Pacific University and McMinnville High School.
According to the music department Web site, Libonati has composed pieces that have been published by Warner Brothers and Sound Limited, among others. He has also recorded two albums of original children’s music, which have been sold internationally. One could call jazz his “bread and butter.”
“Anything I can turn into a jazz piece, I will,” he said.
Libonati’s passion for music started at a young age. He said with both parents being musicians from the Manhattan School of Music, it was only natural. By age 7, he was knowledgeable on the piano and by 8 was composing. “I just had a passion for it,” Libonati said.
As a teen he wrote songs for his high school’s choir and band.
He said he likes Linfield because he is comfortable here and because of his colleagues and students. Libonati calls his students intelligent and insightful.
Senior Anne Muehleck has been in jazz choir under the direction of Libonati for the past two years.
“He’s a high-energy professor,” Muehleck said. “It is very evident that he has a passion for teaching music.”
She said Libonati makes what can be hard work enjoyable with his sense of humor. He is a talented singer and pianist and great to work with, Muehleck said.
“I just like sharing my passion for my art with the students,” he said. “I think that’s why Linfield has kept me around for so long.”
Libonati said after he started teaching at Linfield in the ’90s he was inspired to teach full time and went on to achieve both his master’s degree and his teaching certificate. He is currently working toward his doctorate in music education from Boston University.