I am deeply honored to have contributed my composition Vajra Hero to the compilation album Epic Women- The Shero's Journey. The Epic Women project created an alliance with Warner Chappell Production Music Germany to release a group of epic music compositions correlating to the 12 steps of The Hero's Journey.
Donna's Musical Journey
Early Music Life
Donna, the eldest of eight siblings, was born into a musically gifted family. Well known for his musical abilities as an educator, performer, composer, and arranger Additionally, her father led and taught groups ranging from elementary, Jr. high, and high school bands, orchestras, and choirs to the BYU Young Ambassadors and participated as member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for nearly 20 years. Her mother continues to lend her beautiful voice and piano accompaniment to church meetings and events.
Donna began formal piano lessons from age six to fifteen and played the clarinet in middle school. Singing with her family at church and in a children's choir (Sunshine Inc.) that her father directed, were early musical experiences that shaped her. She and her brothers were hired for their first studio session when she was twelve. As a young teen she received a Fender Rhodes piano, and over the next few years, a mini Moog and Farfisa organ. These made up the arsenal of sound that she deployed in a family band appropriately named "Family Affair" with her dad and younger brothers, Lee and Barry. Later the band name changed to "Dakota" and singer-guitarist Randy Graves and saxophonist Arlen Card were added. The band kept busy performing at church and school dances. Through high school Donna participated in choirs and musicals, played in bands with friends, and began writing her own music.
Donna singing with Dakota at age 16
Out On Her Own
After graduating high school, Donna embarked on an adventurous new chapter by moving to Salt Lake City. With her keyboards left at home, she worked on signing and playing guitar. Donna found work with two concert promoters JC McNeil and United Concerts and Rocky Mountain Music and also at Geppetto's, a popular pizza place. While working with the promoters she mingled with iconic bands like Heart, Boston, Jethro Tull, Rick Derringer, and other renowned acts that passed through Salt Lake City.
One memorable night at the Terrace Ballroom, while working for United Concerts, Donna noticed a guy with a ginger Irish afro who was lying on an Anvil road case, covered with an organ quilt. She playfully shook his Converse high-tops and asked if he was dead or alive. This was her serendipitous introduction to future husband, Richard Williams, guitarist with the band KANSAS.
With her classical music background, Donna had always admired their music. A martial arts friend had introduced her to the album "Masque" and from there she bought the "Song for America" album and learned the title track on piano. A long-distance romance began with Rich while he was on tour. When "Leftoverture" went platinum he invited her to NYC to attend a party hosted by Don Kirshner and CBS Records. Their love culminated in marriage in Utah on June 8th, which Rich had joked was also coincidentally the anniversary of an infamous tornado that had struck his hometown of Topeka, Kansas, in 1966.
Leftoverture Platinum Party at Harkness Ballet Foundation, NYC.
KANSAS songs that Donna provided backing vocals for.
The Atlanta Years
During her marriage to Rich, Donna provided backing vocals on the albums Audio Visions, Vinyl Confessions, and on Kerry Livgren's solo album Seeds of Change. During this period, she also performed with an exceptional group of Atlanta musicians in progressive rock band Team Turbo. It was in this band that Donna met her songwriting partner of eight years, Brian Jobson. Together, they formed a prolific duo, writing and recording numerous songs. Donna's talent was recognized when she won a best song award from the Atlanta Songwriters Association for her composition "Captivated," and this unexpectedly led to a friendship with one of the judges, Eddie Offord (producer for Yes, ELP, David Sancious, Dixie Dregs, 311).
Donna began licensing her music to other artists, and her late brother Rich Gibbons recorded four of her songs. One of these songs, co-written with him, titled "Always," made it onto Billboard's most added list in 1996. Donna also performed with rock band WW III and collaborated both live and in the studio with Brian and producer/arranger/keyboardist Trammell Starks (now full-time audio recording engineer at Auburn University recording studio). She also took solo gigs, singing and playing at various venues, did studio work, and had a side hustle assisting other musicians with MIDI sequencing and production.
Donna singing with David Letterman Band at the Bottom Line in NYC on a trip with Brian to shop their music to record companies.
Song written by Sammy Khan for Bette Midler. Donna was hired to provide the guide track.
The Kansas City Years
In 1993, Donna moved to Kansas City to be with a boyfriend who was the editor of REP (Recording, Engineering, Production) magazine. This relationship exposed her to a lot of great music and helped her to build more knowledge around audio engineering. During that time, she met a group of extraordinary young musicians—Scott Hammer (guitar), Brian Berger (drums), and Brett Bettis (bass)—who had started the progressive rock band Synergy. Donna added her talents on keys and lead vocals, and she thrived musically, writing and performing original songs and progressive rock covers with these exceptional players.
While stage managing a live concert event for KCUR, the Kansas City NPR station, Donna met one of the owners of Kansas City Drumworks. They exchanged contact information, and a few months later, he invited her to sing and play keys with Joey Skidmore, an artist who had just recorded an album for Dixie Frog Records in France. During this project, Donna fell in love with and eventually married the drummer, (also a theatrical technician and artist).
During those years, Donna performed at many local events and venues with popular band Rare Form. She also performed and recorded jazz music with esteemed pianist Greg Richter and his trio, Serendipity. Donna, Greg, and the band became regulars at renowned jazz venues in Kansas City, such as Jardines and Plaza III.
When her dear brother Rich was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Donna decided to leave Kansas City and return to Utah to be with her family. Around that time, she and Serendipity were invited to perform at the opening of the new Gem Theater on 18th and Vine. Donna briefly returned to Kansas City for the event, where she, Greg, and the band were booked to perform at the Gala Grand Opening of the new Gem Theater as part of the American Jazz Museum and 18th & Vine Museums project. The gala feature a star-studded jazz lineup with artists like Al Jarreau, Tony Bennett, Diane Reem, Harry Belafonte, and George Duke.
Donna rehearsing with the Joey Skidmore band.
Synergy promo shot.
Serendipity promo shots.
Back to Salt Lake City
Shortly after moving back to Utah, Donna had a serendipitous encounter with a corporate technology customer who happened to be a bass player. He mentioned that he was part of a Frank Zappa tribute band and that they were searching for a keyboard player and vocalist. Having been a fan of Zappa's music for years, Donna immediately recalled a fun conversation she once had with Frank at a party after the Mothers of Invention performed at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Excited by the opportunity, she jumped at the chance to play his music, even knowing how challenging it would be.
The Zappa tribute band, Chunga's Revenge, had been founded by Steve Auerbach, a talented musician and entrepreneur. Steve became a dear friend who extended numerous valuable musical opportunities to Donna over the years. The tribute band eventually toured with Ike Willis, Frank's singer and guitarist on over 25 Zappa albums from 1980 to 1993. It was a wild, fun, and unforgettable experience that Donna cherished.
Steve later invited Donna to join R&B/Funk band H Street, which featured incredible musicians including John Flanders, who had toured with Frank Zappa, Tony Mason, formerly with Motown Records and bassist Fabian Martinez who she would end up performing with for 20+ years.
Around this time, Donna was invited to record backup vocals for Felicia Sorenson’s album Without Disguise, contributing to the track “Simplify This House.” Felicia—now known internationally as vocalist Felicia Farerre—was performing under her married name, Felicia Sorenson, at the time. Donna’s work extended beyond the studio playing keys and singing for a variety of live performances.
In 2005, Donna received an exciting call from Steve. He shared that he was starting an after-school music program in Salt Lake City for the Paul Green School of Rock Music. Steve had attended the Zappanale festival in Germany, where he was blown away by talented kids performing with former members of The Mothers of Invention. Curious about their origins, he learned about Paul’s school in Philadelphia and was inspired to bring that same magic to Salt Lake City.
Steve had obtained permission to open a school and asked Donna if she would be interested in directing shows and providing music instruction. Donna eagerly seized the opportunity and became an integral part of this incredible program for 13 years. Teaching kids how to rock on stage and in life became one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life.
One of Donna's favorite Yes songs was brought to life by talented School of Rock students during a prog rock show she had the privilege to direct. It was so rewarding for her to see many of these young musicians pursue remarkable careers of their own in the music industry. Guitarist Maddie Rice who pinch hit as the singer for this performance went on to play with Stay Human, the house band for Stephen Colbert, and is now the guitarist for the SNL band. Many other exceptional students have also achieved success as teachers and performers.
While playing with H Street, Donna met skilled bass player Fabian Martinez and joined he and the great singer/guitar player James Turner in the local dance/hip hop/R&B/funk/party band TwentyFourVII. After being together for over 20 years the band rebranded themselves as Interstellar and in the midst of rehearsing Covid-19 hit the world. Donna would love for the band to regroup at some point.
Epic Voyage
Throughout many years of writing, much of the music Donna has created has been instrumental. She has always felt a deep connection to instrumental music, influenced by great artists such as Thomas Newman, Acoustic Alchemy, David Arkenstone, Phil Rey-Gibbons, Pat Metheny, Michael Hedges, Govind Vasantha, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Trammell Starks, and the late Brian Jobson.
Donna collaborated with Felicia Farerre and Phil Rey-Gibbons on an Epic Music project through her company Emanate Music and was deeply honored to contribute her song Vajra Hero to this collaborative work. The project showcased incredible women who are Epic Music composers and donated 20% of royalties to the Children's of Ethiopia Education Fund, a nonprofit that supports the education of girls.
Donna has worked on a few more collaborations since the Epic Women Project. Petrichor (Feat Phil Rey-Gibbons) and Fate (Feat Axis and Phil Rey-Gibbons).
Back to School
In April of 2025 Donna auditioned for and was accepted to the School of Music at University of Utah to start work on a bachelor's degree in Music Composition. She made the Dean's List in Fall Semester and now endeavors to do so in Spring Semester working on piano performance with award-winning Associate Professor Vedrana Subotic and on a certificate in Music Technology with experimental composer and sound engineer David Cottle. Other classes this semester are music theory with excellence in teaching award winner Pamela Palmer Jones, Keyboard II with prize winning pianist Wenzhao Wang, Aural Skills II with pianist and composer Ian Wagman, and treble choir Voci Altissime with gifted director Dr. Emily Mercado. Donna is also excited to perform with the vibrant Latin American Music Club, a student organization focused on exploring diverse Latin American music (samba, tango, etc.) through workshops, instrument access (pandeiro, tamborim), jam sessions, and cultural lectures. Donna has also returned to School of Rock as a vocal coach after having worked in that great after school program for kids in the past as mentioned above.
