Dana Suesse, born Nadine Dana Suesse on December 3, 1909, in Kansas City, Missouri, was an American composer, musician, and lyricist known for her contributions to both classical and popular music. A child prodigy, she began performing in vaudeville shows at the age of five, where she would improvise melodies based on audience suggestions. By the age of ten, she had won a composition prize from the National Federation of Music.

In 1926, Suesse moved to New York City with her mother to further her musical education. She studied piano with Alexander Siloti, a pupil of Franz Liszt, and composition with Rubin Goldmark, who had also taught George Gershwin. Despite initial rejections of her classical compositions, Suesse found success in popular music, co-writing hits like "My Silent Love" and "You Oughta Be in Pictures" with lyricists such as Edward Heyman and Yip Harburg.

Dubbed "the girl Gershwin" by the press, Suesse was recognized for her ability to bridge classical and jazz music. Her "Concerto in Three Rhythms," commissioned by bandleader Paul Whiteman, premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1932, showcasing her talent in symphonic jazz. She also composed music for theater and film, collaborating with impresario Billy Rose on various revues and spectacles.

Suesse continued her studies in Paris with the esteemed Nadia Boulanger, further honing her compositional skills. Her works include a variety of piano compositions such as "Syncopated Love Song," "Jazz Nocturne," and "Midnight in Gramercy Square." She achieved financial independence at a young age, a notable accomplishment for a woman in her field during that era.

In 1974, Suesse was honored with a concert at Carnegie Hall, where she performed part of her "Concerto in Three Rhythms." She retired in New York and continued composing until her death on October 16, 1987, at the age of 77. Despite her considerable success during her lifetime, Suesse's name is less well-known today, though her contributions to American music remain significant.