Danenberg, Emil, 1917-1982

Emil Danenberg was born in Hong Kong in 1917. After his family emigrated to Los Angeles in 1926, Danenberg continued his piano studies with Abby De Avirett and Edward Steuermann while also studying theory with Arnold Schoenberg. Danenberg received B.A. and A.M. degrees from UCLA and honorary degrees from Marietta College and Franklin College. He made his New York debut in 1950 followed by a Town Hall recital in 1953 in which he played a diverse program ranging from Bach to Kirchner.

Danenberg commenced a long association with Oberlin College in 1944 by joining the piano faculty. He served as the Dean of the Conservatory of Music, and later was appointed President of Oberlin College. As an administrator, Danenberg was responsible for expanding and diversifying Oberlins curriculum to encompass new courses and majors in early music, jazz and ethonomusicology. Emil Danenberg died in 1982.