Dan Earl

Mr. Earl is a 1965 graduate of Chapman College (now a university) where he majored in music and worked with Dr. William D. Hall. Earl began his teaching career in the Tustin City Schools and was selected an “Outstanding Young Educator” by the Tustin California Jaycees in 1975. In 1977 he and his wife, also a teacher, moved to Northern California, where Dan began teaching at Santa Rosa High School, where he taught for 28 years.

Mr. Earl was selected Santa Rosa City Schools’ and Sonoma County’s “Teacher of the Year” in 1982 and more recently again in 1998. During the school year 1987-1988 Earl took a year’s leave of absence and studied with Dr. Charlene Archibeque at San Jose State University.

He has received the “Spirit of Santa Rosa” award from the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, and in 1994 he received the first “Alumni of the Year” award from the Music Department of Chapman University. In 2002 he was honored by the Sonoma County Arts Council for his contributions to music education. In 2007 he was given the prestigious Howard S. Swan award by the ACDA.

Mr. Earl has been a part of the “Sing-Along Messiah” since its inception. He was previously conductor of the Sonoma County Chorus (now the Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus) for 7 years (1979-1986). The chorus is delighted that he returned to us in 2000.

Dan is married to his sweetheart Connie, with whom he celebrated his 38th anniversary this past December. Dan and Connie live just west of Santa Rosa on 6 ½ acres with their dogs, cats and horses.