Dr. Will Douglas
B.M., M.M., D.M.A.
University of North Texas
Owner of The Guitar Studio, LLC.
Artist in Residence at The Guitar Studio Fort Worth
Bio
Fort Worth, Texas native Dr. Will Douglas is a prominent leader in the North Texas classical guitar community, recognized for his work as a performer, educator, and arts entrepreneur. His musical development began under the mentorship of Micheal Dailey, founder of The Guitar Studio, Professor Tom Johnson at the University of North Texas, and through private study with Adam Holzman. He has participated in masterclasses with many of the world’s leading guitarists, including Tom Sheeley, Virginia Luque, Eduardo Fernández, Eliot Fisk, Bruce Holzman, and Oscar Ghiglia.
Dr. Douglas made his concert debut in 2004 as part of Guitar Fort Worth’s Atrium Series and has since appeared on international stages, including performances at the Acadia Guitar Festival in Nova Scotia and the Iserlohn International Guitar Symposiums in Germany. In addition to his classical guitar work, he has performed extensively on baroque guitar and lute, collaborating with ensembles such as the University of North Texas Collegium Musicum, the Fort Worth Opera, and a variety of chamber ensembles.
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In parallel with his performing career, Dr. Douglas maintained an active career in higher education, teaching classical guitar, pedagogy, and ensemble coaching at a range of institutions in North Texas. His academic work focused on applied instruction, curriculum development, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful performing and teaching careers. This experience continues to inform his approach to teaching, curriculum design, and artist development outside the university setting.
In December 2008, Dr. Douglas assumed the role of President of Guitar Fort Worth, where he led initiatives that expanded access to classical guitar performance and education throughout the region. His commitment to advocacy and outreach has also led to invitations to present lectures and masterclasses at festivals and institutions including the Hamilton International Guitar Festival and Berklee College of Music.
Dr. Douglas earned his Master of Music degree in Guitar Performance from the University of North Texas and completed a year of advanced study in the Graduate Diploma program at the New England Conservatory of Music under Eliot Fisk. He returned to UNT to complete his Doctor of Musical Arts in 2019, with a related field in music education.
He is the founder of the Lone Star Guitar Festival and Competition (est. 2015) and the Collegiate Peaks Guitar Retreat in Colorado (est. 2017), initiatives that continue to support high-level performance, education, and community engagement.
Dr. Douglas currently serves as Owner and Artist-in-Residence of The Guitar Studio in Fort Worth and Grapevine, Texas, and is a founding board member of The Guitar Studio Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing guitar education, outreach, and access through scholarships, instrument donations, and community partnerships.
He continues to perform, mentor, and lead innovative initiatives that strengthen the classical guitar community in Texas and beyond.