Dane Neal’s story will break your heart. His father died when he was 14. At 16 his mother became addicted to cocaine moving in and out of the justice system. Dane was in and out of foster homes. When Dane was 19, his mother got out of jail and was sober for 4 years. She also died in an accident the day before Dane’s 22nd birthday. There are exactly 10 years between Dane’s parents’ deaths both by motorcycle accidents. Dane graduated from the University of the Arts and was accepted to Manhattan School of Music. Because of the accident, he had to drop out to take care of his younger brother who was 12, the same age he was when his dad passed away. He moved to Delaware to keep some stability in Gabriel’s life.
T2C:
You’ve been through a lot. How do you get through it?
Dane
Neal: My mother was there even though she was addicted. I grew up with a firm Christian root. It always could have been worse.
T2C:
Does music play a part in this?
DN:
There were some pretty rough times when I was going in and out of foster homes. I could always go in my room and sing.
T2C:
How old were you when you first began singing?
DN:
I was 13. I was a jock and a Master Chief Navel Officer thought it would be funny to make me audition for the school musical. I got the lead. It was “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
T2C:
What happened after that?
DN:
Got into High School and was in the school musicals for the next 4 years. Kenicki in “Grease,” Curley in “Oklahoma,” but I still wasn’t serious about that. I wanted to be a lawyer, but got turned down from that college and accepted into the University of the Arts.
T2C:
Did you want to be a lawyer because of your mom?
DN:
No, I wanted to help kids who had been in and out of foster care.
T2C:
Of the roles you’ve done, what gives you the fire in the belly?
DN:
“Phantom of the Opera;” I am obsessed – - I would love to play the “Phantom.” “Music of the Night’ speaks to me.
T2C:
What has been your biggest success so far?
DN:
Keeping my brother on track, good grades, good attitude. Career wise, being cast as Marius in a concert of “Les Miserable” at the Kimmel Center directed by Richard J Alexander by the Broadway Dreams Foundation. It’s a non-profit that brings professionals performing with stars of tomorrow. I also got to sing with Melissa Errico, Tituss Burgess and I’ve entered and won 4 competitions. 1:Sergio Franchi Memorial Concert 2: The Classical Virtuosos of Tomorrow Competition. 3: Redding Coral Society – 2 years in a row.
T2C:
What does you brother like the best?
DN:
Singing “King of the World” from “Songs for a New World,” with Tituss Burgess.
T2C:
What is your favorite song to sing?
DN:
“Oh Danny Boy.” I do it well and it is well received.
T2C:
What is the one thing you’d like people to know?
DN:
That I’m thankful, strong, talented, blessed and that I’m loved.
T2C:
What is your dream job?
DN:
One that I can perform everyday and that leaves a legacy.
With those words, the Val Kilmer, George Peppard, Pierce Brosnan and, when people are drunk, Brad Pitt look alike went back to Delaware until the next gig, inspiring us all.
Posted by Errol Rappaport
on December 11, 2011. Filed under COLUMNS,Rising Stars with Errol Rappaport.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
You must be logged in to post a comment Login