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Danielle (Danni) Arena was born with collapsed tubes in both of her ears and was legally deaf until the summer she turned five. After ear and adenoid surgeries, she was able to hear and speak. Within a year of gaining her hearing, she was singing and playing music on the piano. She came from a musical family and was enthralled with anything related to music or performing.
She began formal piano lessons shortly before her sixth birthday. By the age of seven, she had also begun formal voice lessons. She studied voice intermittently with various instructors throughout her schooling and is still researching and growing today.
At the age of eleven, she used her piano books, a textbook and an old guitar to learn how to play the guitar. She then sought out additional instruction by joining a guitar ensemble at her school. When she aged, guitar ensembles became guitar orchestras and she was exposed to numerous master classes and the Boston Guitar Society. She began formal instruction on the guitar at fifteen.
By fourteen, Danni was able to play seven instruments and sing. During her sophomore year of high-school she began teaching private lessons in her basement. By the time she was a senior in high school, she was accepted into the Berklee College of Music.
While attending Berklee, she performed with the Boston Guitar Orchestra when time would allow. She was also employed in assisting with classroom learning management systems, tutoring music theory, arranging and ear training. During that time she volunteered with a non-profit called the Kithara Project which brought guitar education to communities in the city. The community center where guitar lessons were held then hired her to teach piano lessons. While there, she was a regular substitute for group guitar lessons.
At the age of 21, Danni graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a Degree in Music Education. She has continued to teach private lessons in New Hampshire and Massachusetts through various companies, individually and online.
After the COVID-19 Pandemic, Danni paused her private coaching to join the public school system. She was a long term sub in a third grade classroom in her town as well as a regular volunteer at a non-profit venue for local artists. In 2022, she joined a school district as their Middle School General Music Teacher. With a passion for teaching and empowering people of all ages, Danni is re-opening her 1:1 coaching like never before.
Danni's 1:1 vocal and instrumental coaching combine holistic wellness and therapeutic inspired practices with the fundamentals of traditional lessons. Her unique learning module platform and individualized "work out plans" help to keep clients on track for growth, success and empowerment.
Instruments of Expertese
"Each instrument represents a different aspect of my well-being. To choose only one would be to choose between head, heart and body"
Guitar
At Berklee, guitar was considered Danni's primary instrument.
While there, she studied with Abigail Aronson Zocher, Joe Stump, Kimberly Perlak and more. Through each of their unique insights and techniques, she has developed a teaching style that allows for students to succeed in a variety of genres.
Danni teaches guitar with a holistic approach that focuses on the whole body, technique and emotional release/integration. Danni believes that the guitar is an extension of her body and through playing it, one can find healing and peace with themselves and the world around them.
Piano
Piano was the first instrument that Danni learned how to play.
Within months of her third ear surgery and gaining her hearing, she was able to play songs on the piano. For years she studied classically and performed in recitals after school. She continued her studies independently throughout her schooling and passed her required piano courses with ease.
Danni considers the piano to be a representation of one's mind: a medium for creativity, analysis and expression. Her teaching methodology has a strong focus on technique, accuracy and injury prevention.
Voice
Singing as an essential part of the human connection.
Throughout history, communities have used vocal music to create a sense of wellness, togetherness, storytelling and so much more. As scientific and psychological studies have progressed, it has become evident that the emotional and physical benefits of singing are astronomical.
In addition to years of private lessons, choirs, college courses and performing, Danni has done extensive research into the benefits of vocal music. She has conferenced with music therapists, read numerous texts and articles and created a curriculum designed to combine mindfulness, coping skills and somatic exercises with rudimentary vocal technique. This is the DiVE curriculum. Her skills as an empathetic listener and knowledge of the human vocal system helped her to empower voices of all ages and skill sets.
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