DANA WOOLARD - Principal Cello
We proudly throw the spotlight on a woman who gives and gives to the SJS as a chamber and orchestra performer, as well as supports our marketing and educational outreach on a regular basis - and always with kindness and a smile...our principal cellist Dana Woolard. Dana is a double UMKC grad and serves as an instructor of cello at William Jewel College. An active performer, instructor, adjudicator and clinician in the area, she has also internationally performed with baroque vocal and instrumental ensembles in Italy and Switzerland. As principal cellist of the Inspiration Point Opera Festival, she performed at the opening of the Walton Arts Center and recorded for NPR. While at Inspiration Point, she performed and taught with members of the Brevard Festival at the Inspiration Point Chamber Festival.
Dana enjoys many styles of music, performing in more than 30 professional musical productions at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Music Hall, Missouri Rep Theater, Starlight Theater and the Missouri Theater Heritage. She has performed with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Manheim Steamroller, Sir Rod Stewart, Michael Buble, Peter Gabriel, Disturbed, Evanescence, Lindsey Stirling, Kansas City’s New Ear Ensemble, Gamelan Genta Kasturi and with more popular artists at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center.
She has been a faculty member of Avila University, Graceland University and Illinois Wesleyan University Chamber and Cello Festivals, Heartland Chamber and Opus 76 Quartet Young Artist Chamber Festivals. She has adjudicated Missouri All-State Orchestra auditions and coached cello sectionals at MOASTA conferences. In 2018, she was honored with the Missouri American String Teacher Collegiate Educator Award, and the 2024 Studio Teacher of the Year Award.
If you attended the Chamber Gala in January or SJS's Chamber Concert last September, you will recognize Dana as a member of both performing ensembles.
