Profile by david niehaus

The Piano Man “The Man, the Myth, the Legend......Dirk Damonte”

“ ing us a song you’re the piano man. Sing us a song tonight....”[5] The year was 1973 when the Piano Man (Billy Joel) got his big hit.

Combining his passion for music and the stories of others, Billy Joel never ceased to connect to every soul his music came in contact with. Modern day Piano Man Dirk Damonte lives up to this legend and legacy inspiring people every day. DamonteDirk combines his musical talents with his life long ministry at Los Altos United Methodist Church (LAUMC). Every Sunday morning and afternoon, Dirk provides music with a message to the people of Los Altos. In Dirk’s eyes, this isn’t just a job –, it’s a passion that turned into a life long dream.

His dream from 16 was to become a pastor and provide music with the message that would

inspire others about the word of God. Despite the initially shaky support of his peers, Damonte’sDirks dreams were unstoppable. His journey of faith and music was unique in a way that first began headstrong, but then lead towards hesitation.

Throughout his first two years at the University Of Puget Sound, Dirk struggled more and more to see the spiritualministry side of himself. Being the piano player that he is, Demonte joined a band.

Juggling schoolwork and the life of a rockstar left no room for his ministry.

Performing in countless “smoky bars” left him an emptiness inside that would later lead to the realization of his true calling of preaching the word of God through music with the message.

According to Damonte, “One day I had a sort of aha moment when I was with my band playing in a sort of smoky bar venue when I realized, wow this is not what I want to be doing, and this isn’t who I am.” [1] From then on, Damonte took control of his life.

In the midst of his 2

junior year at UPS, Dirk met his partner in crime and the love of his life, Carol. She was a music arts major like Dirk so naturally they had the same classes and interests.

Dirk and Carol instantly became best friends, collaborating and producing music, their ideal day was spent together. “Out of all the time we spent together I never would have thought Dirk and I would end up being life partners”[2]. Before they tied the knot, Dirk started his journey into seminary at the Pacific School Of Religion, where he would eventually receive his degree in ministry. His journey through seminary was rough like the beard on his face. Faced with different beliefs and teachings, Damonte’s interpretation of the Bible differed from that of his professors and esteemed colleagues. This unique angle of the Bible reflects in the message he preaches as well as the life he lives. The poetic message that Damonte dirk relays, leads me to assume how he draws hisin the colossal audiencescrowds that he does.

After Seminary, Dirk proceeded with his plans to mary Carol. Together they had two boys, Dylan and Dustin Damonte.

Soon after having kids, they joined the LAUMC team of ministry and music arts. To this very day Dirk remains a pastor at LAUMC while at the same time directing a group with his wife called the Starfire Singers. This unique group acts as the third child they’ve always wanted. “Dirk and I have directed it (Starfire, a choir) for thirty three years and that came as a big surprise to us we never expected to direct the group as a matter of fact I think back to college when I went to my conduct in class and I would say at eight o’clock in the morning why am I taking this stupid class I am never going to conduct a choir in my life and I really don’t think I want to but I had to take it as part of my requirements for my degree. Well, little did I know it two weeks before Christmas after we’d been at the church for maybe a year and a half year the director decided he was going to quit and the church said

you just get us through Christmas and we said ‘ok’ but we have no desire to direct this group further on” [2]. Until decided otherwise, they will allways remain the directors of Starfire.

His music is said to be unique in its own way, in that no one song he writes is like another. Damonte’s fascination with jazz culture and music, influences his writing and the tone of each song.

Dylan Damonte talks about one of his favorites, “One of my favor-

ite pieces that Dirk has written would be a song called ‘You’re The Gift.’

It’s a song that really hit home for me personally.

With all of the chaos and stress of the season, this song would always find a way into my heart.” [3] This inspiring music style brings people from far, wide, and everywhere inbetween.

Damonte manages to make the congregation feel the emotion portrayed in the stories he preaches.

Dirks ministry and music values have often been

described as moving, filling, and even inspirational. His music with the message provides the congregation with clarity of the true meaning of christianity. According to Dirk, “This lady stopped me at Trader Joe’s and she noticed my shirt and said, ‘“Are you from LAUMC?’” and then I said ‘“Well ya.’”, and she said “Wait, are you Dirk Damonte? and I said, ‘“yes I am,’” and she replied, ‘“ I was in Morning Glory!’”(Morning singing group for toddlers) She-

“Out of all the time we spent together I never would have thought Dirk and I would end up being life partners”

3

4

and then she continued to say, ‘“I went to an Easter service a while back so I heard you preach, and I just wanted you to know that. your sermon changed my life from that day forward....’” [4] Clearly Damonte’s skillset has the power to turn non believers into believers.

In the midst of his journey into Cchrist, Dirk faced the biggest battle of his life. He discovered that he had a food addiction. As Damonte describes it, “I’m in recovery, just like somebody recovering from alcohol addiction or drug addiction. One of the things you learn, going through the twelve steps of recovery is how much you haven’t loved yourself, and just how much you have let an external force like food take control. Step one was to admit that I had an addiction which was one of the hardest parts for me because that was when I realized that I was disappointing the people that I loved. The first question this person asked me was if I had any other higher power than my addiction, and I said yes I have god. Then she asked why

I was here in the first place and to think again.

That was when it struck me like a ton of bricks to the face. Learning that I wasn’t putting God before my addition acted as the turning point in my addiction....”[3] To this very day Dirk still fights his addiction. Since the diagnosis he has lost a total of 95 lbs. Dirk proceeds to shed the weight off every month, making his way back to better health. HeDirk claims that this journey haWs further deepened his faith.

When asked about his future, Dirk replied this, “I have no Idea where I will be in ten years. It’s actually kind of funny because people have started asking me more and more about when I am going to retire, but to tell you the truth I haven’t worked a day in my life because i’m doing what I love to do. So hopefully in ten years I will still be working at LAUMC.”[4] Damonte obviously isn’t so sure what the future will bring him, but what he does know is that God has a plan for everyone.

Though his plan might not be perfect and ideal, he knows that god has his best ideals at heart.

Dirk grew up with the Methodist Church and has been part of it for the majority of his life. With the exception of the time when he went to college and strayed away from it. He feels that his expression of faith is very much conveyed through his music. Distinguishing between religion and faith is something few people are able to do.

The Mmethodist tradition of touching heaven, and changing earth, with head, heart, and hands is what Dirk manages to do every day. “I think the most important thing in life is to find someone who inspires you, who fills you, who makes you feel special, and who you are and who you are together, and what you do in the world. I think everyone should find a Dirk, whether its a mentor, a best friend, a partner to work with in business, a colleague.... someone to challenge you.... someone to grow with. Just someone who is a Dirk for you. That’s what I think everybody needs.”

[2]

“I have no Idea where I will be in ten years. It’s actually kind of funny because people have started asking me more and more about when I am going to retire, but to tell you the truth I haven’t worked a day in my life because i’m doing what I love to do. So hopefully in ten years I will still be working at LAUMC.”

5

Works Cited [1] Damonte, Dirk. “Interview 1.” Personal Interview. (16 Sept.

2015.)

[2] Damonte, Carol. “Interview 2.” Live Interview. (23 Sept. 2015.)

[3] Damonte, Dylan. “Interview 3.” Live Interview. (30 Sept. 2015.)

[4] Damonte, Dirk. “Interview 4.” Live Interview. (08 Oct. 2015.)

[5] Victor L. Wooten. The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Growth Through Music. THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group WW(USA) Inc. 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

6