Dana Mengel is a freelance composer and violinist. He began his career as a professional violist at the age of 14 and is now among the top freelance classical musicians in the Kansas City metro area. Dana performs with many local orchestras and appears regularly with his brother, Leslie Mengel, a classical cellist. Together, they are the Mengel Brothers Duo.

Dana studied violin at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He began composing in 1990 and has since published over eight hundred works. His compositions have been performed across the country.

Dana is currently the music director at Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence, Missouri, where he lives with his wife, Tammy, and their two children.