Dr. Mark Douglass has enjoyed a diverse career as a composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist, and educator. Blending tradition with innovation, his music has been described as “…exquisite works of art; intimate and full of color and nuance.” -Hila Pitman, Grammy Award winning soprano.

Equally comfortable with jazz and classical music, Douglass’ performances span from Detroit’s Jazz Festival to the renowned Bourbon Jazz Festival in Paraty, Brazil to Carnegie Hall. 

Douglass’ compositions have been performed internationally in various venues: in large orchestral concerts, in award-winning films, on PBS, and in recitals. His music has been performed at the New Names Creative Arts Camp in Togliatti, Russia, Wayne State University’s “Breaking New Ground” series, and Universidades Estadual Paulista in São Paulo, Brazil.

He is a founding member of ConTempus Initiative, a Michigan-based contemporary music collective that is committed to making new music accessible by creating collaborative performances that connect with today’s audiences.

Douglass’ academic appointments include professorships at both public and private institutions. Currently teaching at The University of Michigan in Dearborn, he is responsible for teaching Multimedia and Music, World Music, West African Music, and History of Rock and Popular Music. Other areas of teaching expertise are Jazz, Afro-Cuban Music, and K-12 Music Education.