Doug Maher

Instructor of Guitar

M.M., University of Miami
B.M., Berklee College of Music
Music Education Certificate, Central Connecticut State University

Douglas Maher has enjoyed a life-long musical journey that began with hearing his parent’s big band jazz recordings, and was inspired by watching the Beatles in their American television debut.  His passion for all things guitar is rooted in a love of Jazz, Classical, Blues, Rock, and Country music.  Not one to live in the past, he views each day with excitement in search of a new musical challenge.

Doug has over 40 years of performing experience. His career began as guitarist with “The Army Blues,” the Jazz Ensemble of the U.S. Army Band, Washington, D.C. which performed at The White House and Department of State functions, jazz festivals, school and community concerts throughout the United States.  At UConn, Doug has performed in clinics supporting visiting jazz musicians Dick Oatts, Jeff Hamilton, Ernie Watts, Scott Wendholt, John Mosca, E.J. Strickland and Rudy Royston. His other notable performances include The Hartford CT Jazz Festival, the Ikutsk Jazz Festival in Ikutsk, Siberia and the Bozeman (Montana) Symphony Orchestra premier of “Glacier”, a Concerto for Electric Guitar and Orchestra composed by Dr. Kenneth Fuchs. He continues to be an active performer and composer/arranger on guitar and saxophone, and in recent years has performed with Earl MacDonald, Joe McCarthy, Ed Fast, Kris Allen, John Mastroianni, Matt and Atla DeChamplain, Matt Dwonszyk, Jonathan Barber, the New London Big Band, the Other Orchestra and The United States Coast Guard Academy “Guardians” Jazz Ensemble.

Doug received his B.M. (Guitar Performance,1977) from Berklee College of Music, M.M. (Jazz Pedagogy,1984) from the University of Miami, and Music Education Certification (1990) from Central Connecticut State University.  He is an experienced educator and clinician, with a specialty in teaching guitar, jazz improvisation and jazz ensemble. Doug was formerly the instructor of class guitar and jazz combo at Manchester High School and at The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, where he also directed The Academy Big Band.  This ensemble was awarded 1st place in its class at the 2010 Berklee College Jazz Festival, and also 1st place at the 2010 Mingus Festival in New York.  Doug was formerly Director of Bands at Windsor High School from 1994-2005, where he was recognized as Teacher of The Year in 1999. His WHS Jazz Ensemble earned several awards, including 1st place in their class at the 2003 Berklee College Jazz Festival. He was also an adjunct instructor of jazz guitar and jazz combo at Berklee College of Music (1987-1990), at The University of Connecticut (1990-2000) and at Central Connecticut State University (2000-2005).  Doug has instructed many private students who have continued at collegiate music programs throughout the United States and in Canada, and are now professional musicians and educators.