GETZINGER, Donna 1968-

PERSONAL: Born December 8, 1968, in Canoga Park, CA; daughter of James (in computer marketing) and Gerrie (a teacher) Getzinger; married David Maguire (a television editor), September 25, 2000. Education: University of California—Irvine, B.A.

ADDRESSES: Office—10061 Riverside Dr., Ste. 770, Toluca Lake, CA 91602. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Performing arts teacher at various schools, 1988–2000; freelance writer, 1998–. Tutor at Learning Center in Los Angeles, CA, 1999–2000. Has also worked as a professional actress.

MEMBER: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Publishers Marketing Association, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, California Readers Association.

WRITINGS:

Saving Christmas Spirit, Shadowbox Media Publishing (Toluca Lake, CA), 1999.

L.A.'s Best Comedy Sketches, Meriwether Publications (Colorado Springs, CO), 1999.

The Picture Wagon (children's historical novel; based on a story by Elaine Getzinger Callard), Denlinger's Publishers (Edgewater, FL), 2000.

For a Speck of Gold, Denlinger's Publishers (Edgewater, FL), 2001.

(With Daniel Felsenfeld) George Frideric Handel and Music for Voices (biography; for children), Morgan Reynolds (Greensboro, NC), 2004.

(With Daniel Felsenfeld) Johann Sebastian Bach and the Art of Baroque Music (biography; for children), Morgan Reynolds (Greensboro, NC), 2004.

(With Daniel Felsenfeld) Johannes Brahms and the Twilight of Romanticism (biography; for children), Morgan Reynolds (Greensboro, NC), 2004.

(With Daniel Felsenfeld) Antonio Vivaldi and the Baroque Tradition (biography; for children), Morgan Reynolds (Greensboro, NC), 2004.

(With Daniel Felsenfeld) Richard Wagner and German Opera (biography; for children), Morgan Reynolds (Greensboro, NC), 2004.

Contributor of articles and short stories to books, including Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, and periodicals, including Children's Digest, Story Friends, Funny Times, L.A. Parent, and Cat Fancy.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Pop's Music, a historical novel; Grand Care, a contemporary adult novel.

SIDELIGHTS: Donna Getzinger has written works in a variety of genres, including fiction and nonfiction, many of which has been for younger readers. She has garnered attention more recently for completing a series of biographies with Daniel Felsenfeld on classical composers. Several reviewers have commented on how well researched these books are, complimenting the authors for creating portrayals of their subjects that should prove interesting to younger audiences. For example, Antonio Vivaldi and the Baroque Tradition is "lavishly illustrated and well researched," according to the School Library Journal critic Sophie R. Brookover, who added that "this biography presents a portrait of the musician as an ambitious and politically rapacious businessman." The book provides a "a strong sense of Venice as a thriving music center at the time," noted Booklist contributor Hazel Rochman. In another Booklist review, Gillian Engberg called Johann Sebastian Bach and the Art of Baroque Music a "sturdy overview for research or personal interest." Renee Steinberg, writing in the School Library Journal, further commented, "This well-researched volume offers an understanding of Bach's importance and influence."

Other music composer biographies by Getzinger and Felsenfeld include Richard Wagner and German Opera and George Frideric Handel and Music for Voices. In a review of the former, School Library Journal critic Brookover called the effort an "evenhanded biography" and also noted that "the plot of Wagner's life is flout and center … and the authors hit every note clearly." Once again writing in the School Library Journal, Steinberg called George Frideric Handel and Music for Voices, a "carefully researched and highly detailed biography."

Donna Getzinger once commented: "I used to be an actress. I loved stepping on-stage and playing different characters more than anything. Writing had always been a hobby. Gradually I realized that I had a lot more fun writing than acting. Why? I get to play all the parts! What could be better than that? When I sold my first story in 1994, I was hooked. I knew that I wanted to be a successful writer.

"Although I write everything from health articles to fantasy novels, I like writing children's novels most. Having been a teacher for years, it just seemed natural to write for that audience. Every time I finish a story, I think of the kids out there who might read it someday, and I can't help but feel complete."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, April 15, 2004, Hazel Rochman, review of Antonio Vivaldi and the Baroque Tradition, p. 1436; June 1, 2004, Gillian Engberg, review of Johann Sebastian Bach and the Art of Baroque Music, p. 1752.

School Library Journal, June, 2004, Sophie R. Brookover, review of Antonio Vivaldi and the Baroque Tradition, p. 166; August, 2004, Renee Steinberg, review of Johann Sebastian Bach and the Art of Baroque Music, p. 136; November, 2004, Sophie R. Brookover, review of Richard Wagner and German Opera, p. 162; November, 2004, Renee Steinberg, review of George Frideric Handel and Music for Voices, p. 162.