On Thursday, April 17, 2025, Oshkosh North High School recognized David Anania - Oshkosh North High School Class of 1988 - as the 2025 inductee of the Alumni Hall of Fame. The entire school gathered for an assembly to recognize Mr. Anania as well as the spring student academic award recipients.

View photos from the event HERE.

Every spring, the school’s Hall of Fame committee selects a singular alum to be inducted into the Oshkosh North Alumni Hall of Fame. The award honors an outstanding graduate of Oshkosh North High School whose devotion, passion and integrity are evident in their work and are an exemplary representation of the Oshkosh community.

As a professional musician for over 35 years and current director of artist relations for Gretsch Drums, David Anania was chosen as the 2025 Oshkosh North Alumni Hall of Fame inductee in recognition of his significant accomplishments in the fields of music performance and composition. (See the Alumni Spotlight section below to learn more about his educational journey and professional impact.)

Oshkosh North junior, Lacey D., welcomed David Anania to the stage by acknowledging his many accomplishments as a drummer, singer, songwriter, composer, and producer. Notably, Anania performed as a member of the Blue Man Group - holding residencies in both New York City and Berlin, Germany - and once performed for Queen Elizabeth II during The Royal Variety Performance. As a musician, Anania has also traveled across the globe to work with top-tier musicians at the forefront of the music industry.

“This is extremely surreal for me,” said Anania during his award acceptance address, “To be up here on the stage today is something I never dreamed was possible. I remember the Hall of Fame ceremony when I was going to school here. Back then, a dear friend of mine and I performed a drum duet for that ceremony. To come full circle and be up here on this stage accepting this unbelievable honor means the world to me.”

Also within his address, Anania described the success he has found within his career and attributed it to the support of his family and friends throughout his life. He explained that he felt fortunate to have loved ones who encouraged him to embrace his passions.

Ms. Rebecca Grill, Oshkosh City Manager, presented Anania with the proclamation signed by Mayor Matt Mugeraur declaring April 17, 2025, “David Anania Day in the City of Oshkosh”.

Following the presentation of the proclamation, Anania took center stage to perform an impressive drum medley. Anania played song segments from a variety of artists and musical genres, including “Learn to Fly” by the Foo Fighters and notably, the iconic “In the Air Tonight” by world-renowned drummer and one of Anania’s childhood heroes, Phil Collins. Anania ended the performance with an energetic medley of his own compositions, which garnered a resounding round of applause from the audience.

Oshkosh North Principal, Michelle Last, concluded the ceremony by offering congratulatory remarks to Anania for his accomplishments in the field of music and for exemplifying what it means to be an Oshkosh North Spartan. “You never know where the melody of life will lead you,” said Principal Last to students, “Set your sights on ambitious scores, practice diligently, challenge your creative limits, and make every note in your life’s song count.”

Following the ceremony, Mr. Anania, and his family and friends, were invited to partake in an honorary Hall of Fame Luncheon planned, prepared, and served by students in Ms. Fortner’s Culinary Arts classes.

In the afternoon, Anania met with Oshkosh North band and choir classes to discuss his life-long relationship with music, noteworthy moments throughout his musical career, and to answer questions from students.

When asked how it felt to return to Oshkosh North after years away, Anania explained, “I haven’t been back inside this building since the day I graduated. It feels incredibly special to be back.”

To his surprise, Anania’s former band teacher, David Berndt, was in attendance during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Anania expressed gratitude for Mr. Berndt, as well as his former choir teacher, Robin Oxley, for their influence on him during his time as a student.

“The faculty was always supportive and inspired me to do things that I didn’t think I could do. That was huge for me,” said Anania. “To have people support you and see something within you that you need in order to push yourself to reach your goals - it’s so valuable.”

When asked what message he hopes will resonate with the students who listened to his life’s story, Anania said, “Follow your passion. Stay true to it. It may not always be easy - and it may not look the way that you pictured it to be - but you are going in the right direction. You will get to where you want to go, you just have to believe it. As long as it brings you joy, do it.”

Congratulations to Mr. David Anania for being named the 2025 Oshkosh North Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee. The time he spent as a student at Oshkosh North High School, the professional development he pursued after graduation, and his passion for sharing his musical talents with audiences all over the world are inspiring examples of the power of positive educational experiences. Anania, and countless other Oshkosh Area School District alumni, serve as exemplary role models for our students as they look to the future.

Alumni Spotlight: David Anania

A graduate of the Oshkosh North High School Class of 1988, David Anania was heavily involved in extracurricular activities. He lettered in football and baseball and was part of the TV9 crew, which aired daily back in the day. In addition, Anania played in the pit orchestra for school musicals his sophomore and junior years, leading up to earning the lead role his senior year in the musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Upon his graduation from Oshkosh North, Anania earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Jazz Studies from the University of Minnesota.

Anania, also known as “AnaniA” in the music industry, is a professional drummer, singer/songwriter, and producer with over three decades of experience. As a longtime member of Blue Man Group (New York City and Berlin, Germany) for twenty-two years, he toured globally and performed on numerous high-profile TV shows in the U.S. and Europe. With Blue Man Group, Anania played shows around the globe, including Moby's Area II Tour (with Moby, David Bowie and Busta Rhymes), The Complex Rock Tour and The Royal Variety Performance (with Queen Elizabeth II present).

With artists such as Blue Man Group and blues rocker Shannon Curfman (Kid Rock), Anania has appeared in several successful television shows in the U.S. including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and CBS This Morning. Anania has also appeared in European programs such as Wetten, dass ..?, TV Total, Schlag den Raab, and The Voice of Germany.

Influenced by drumming greats like Phil Collins and David Garibaldi, Anania has composed music for various artists and documentaries since 2012. Anania composes music of all types for himself and other artists like Jaimi Faulkner ("It Is Not Easy" 2015 on V2 records), Jessica Gall ("You'll Feel" and "World to Me", 2016), and Nnenna Yvonne ("Believe in Me", 2015). In collaboration with Snap 180 Media, Anania was actively involved in the composition of soundtracks for three documentary films Return to Pearl, The Yellow Ribbon, and They Fought for Freedom.

In 2018, he released his solo album, Reinvent the Feel. This debut, consisting of nine songs, was massively influenced by music that was important for shaping the contours of Anania’s career - progressive rock, pop and funk. The CD features world class musicians who have worked with international superstars such as the Jonas Brothers, Mandy Moore, Jonny Lang, Prince and Cory Wong.

After leaving Blue Man Group in 2022, he became the U.S. Sales Manager for GEWA Digital Drums, later expanding his role to include Gretsch Drums and Schlagwerk Percussion. In January 2025, Anania was appointed Director of Artist Relations for GEWA Drums International (Gretsch, GEWA Digital, Schlagwerk), supporting their renowned artist roster. He is a Gretsch artist and plays Paiste cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo drumheads. Anania is also a sought-after team building event leader and public speaker in Europe and the U.S.

Mr. David Anania is an inspiring role model whose significant accomplishments established him as a deserving recipient of the Oshkosh North High School Hall of Fame honor. Oshkosh North High School congratulates him for his successful musical career and celebrates his ability to positively influence people around the world with his music.