About
Don is a classically trained guitarist with an ARCT in guitar performance. He is fluent in many musical styles and performs with orchestras, solo and duo classical concerts, musical theatre, rock and jazz and has been active as a performer for thirty-five years.
Notably, he has worked at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival as a pit musician, session player and onstage as a musical actor.
He also performs professionally on many instruments including: electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, ukulele, bass, banjo and piano.
Don maintains an active teaching studio as well as composing for guitar and arrangements for DMac Music.
Performing
DMac Music is a Toronto based talent group that has thirty years of providing high quality musical services for weddings, corporate events, parties and concerts.
Styles range from classical to rock, jazz, flamenco and pop.
Drawing from a pool of Toronto’s best musicians, DMac Music can arrange classical trios that include violin, cello and guitar, flute, and piano.
We can also arrange choirs up to twenty voices and add custom arrangements of popular tunes as well as lesser known songs.
Our group is flexible and can play jazz standards with panache or two guitars can play flamenco and rock.
For more intimate settings: solo guitar.
Don is avaibale for solo concerts as well as house concerts. Playing pieces from his repertiore of original compositions you will be treated to an event full of virtuosity and musicality.
Trainwreck
Don is also a member of Trainwreck, a dynamic cover band fronted by actor and musician Rick Miller.
The band is known for it’s electric performances and eclectic repertoire.
We play tunes from the 50’s to present day hits and guarantee a night of fun and dancing.
Check out our youtube promo video on the media page.
Select Credits
TRAINWRECK -performances in Toronto and Montreal: bass, guitar and banjo.
May 12, 2018 Arcadian Court- Quartet: arranger, leader and guitarist.
February 22, 2017- Shrek the Musical-Bass.
December 7, 2016 - Casa Loma - Jazz trio.
May 28, 2016 - Art Gallery of Ontario - Eighteen voice choir, quartet; contractor, performer and arranger.
August 4, 2015 - Royal Ontario Museum - Contractor, performer and arranger.
January 25, 2014 - Art Gallery Of Ontario - Wedding, sixteen person choir, quartet and guest, George W. Bush.
October 22-27, 2013 - Fiddler on the Roof, Stratford Festival.
September 29, 2013 - Gallery 345 - Concert, Concierto de Aranjuez.
June 14, 2013 - Gardiner Museum - Jazz quartet
December 4-8, 2012 - Man Of LaMancha (guitar).
April 9-12, 2012 - George Brown Theatre School - Happy End (guitar and banjo)
Guitar Instruction
Don runs a successful teaching studio. During his thirty years of teaching his students have won awards at major competitions (CMC), Kiwanis Festivals, Royal Conservatory of Music medals and others have made guitar a fulfilling part of their lives.
Currently he is working on a Youtube channel that focuses on guitar pedagogy.
His students range from five to fifty-five and and encompass most of the major playing styles that he learned as a professional guitarist.
Young beginners are a specialty as he combines ideas from the piano world to teach children reading skills, ear training and coordination.
Please email Don for details regarding rates and location.
News
Don's second solo album is now available. Listen to twelve original pieces performed on a nylon string guitar.
Review from Giverny
Bonsoir Don,
I just spent a couple of hours, writing, surrounded by your music .
It seems you have your own personal « sound », and a virtuosity moving into various inspirations. It was a most pleasant travel with guitar as companion and a beautiful discovery. Anne-Marie’s first word after a less than one minute listening was: « C’est un vrai musicien! »
Thank you for choosing our Trou Normand.
Wishing you a beautiful evening and hoping to see you before you leave,
Yours,
Frédéric
