A Unique & Versatile Artist

Dawna is a northwest singer-songwriter and cover song artist based in Spokane and Northern Idaho. Described as a folk-rock star, her acoustic arrangements and vocals are soulful and raw. Her style is an upbeat fusion of modern folk and light rock, delivering live performances that are fun, diverse and relatable. Audiences love the dynamic range from upbeat and tempo driven to melodic and thoughtful. Dawna is a versatile artist who knows how to engage and entertain people with a mix of both originals and familiar cover songs that span the decades.

A Lifetime of Music

Music has been a fundamental part of Dawna’s life. She started playing piano as a young child but struggled learning to read music. “I was unable to read staff music fluently so I’d memorize the pieces yet still flip the pages during performances (as though I was reading) to hide what I thought was a deficit in my ability.” In her early 20’s she picked up the acoustic guitar and began learning to play, “It was a busier time of life with a full time career and becoming a mom for the first time but I learned and practiced when I could.” Though she has been largely self-taught, she has had the opportunity to learn from and play with many talented musicians over the years.

Playing Professionaly Since 2007

Dawna’s music roots are in the church, which has brought a depth and breadth of performance experience. The modern church has become home to many extraordinarily talented and top level musicians, working with cutting edge technology and audio tools, “It is a critical skill in being a well-rounded musician to be able to lay down your own ideas and agenda, learning to be just a piece of the whole, and creating the best music together so that everyone can enjoy both the process and result.”

Experienced and Fresh

Dawna brings a confidence to the stage that is a result of years of experience while also keeping it modern, fresh, and engaging. She works hard behind the scenes to combine music styles, genres, and influences. This means that her live performances appeal to a broad range including adults, kids & teens, and older generations.

What Makes Dawna’s Performances Unique?

Dawna shares this, “It takes a lot of effort and creativity to be continuously thinking beyond what’s comfortable and easy. I push myself both in my personal writing style and when arranging cover songs so that I’m not presenting one type of music. When I’m performing, I really like to look around the room to see who is there and to be in the present moment when I’m playing. I try to recognize and consider what songs and styles would most engage the people in the room.”

Professional Background and Achievements

A well-rounded person most often makes a better musician. As a former radio host and radio station program director, Dawna has a range of personal, creative, public speaking, and business experience. She is the owner of Retro Crush Media, LLC which was launched in January 2003 and rebranded in 2020. She is also the founder of the I Quit Fear project & podcast established in 2014 and received the Right Now Today Humanitarian award for outstanding community service in 2016.

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