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
Dr. Will Douglas is a Fort Worth, Texas-based entrepreneur and leader in the global classical guitar industry. As CEO and Artist-in-Residence of The Guitar Studio — with locations across Texas — he oversees one of the region’s most established music education and performance organizations, founded in 1983. Beyond the studio, Dr. Douglas manages North American sales, logistics, and distribution for Altamira guitars, one of the world’s largest classical guitar manufacturers, combining his artistic expertise with significant business operations.
Dr. Douglas has founded and directs two major initiatives that drive artist development and community engagement. He is the director of the Guitar Studio International Festival and Competition, held at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU, and founder of the Collegiate Peaks Guitar Retreat in Colorado (est. 2017). He also serves as a founding board member of The Guitar Studio Foundation, a nonprofit advancing guitar education through scholarships, instrument donations, and community partnerships.
Throughout his career, Dr. Douglas has maintained an active role in higher education, teaching classical guitar, pedagogy, and ensemble coaching at institutions including Tarrant County College, Weatherford College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Newton Community College in Massachusetts, among others. His eighteen years of collegiate teaching experience directly inform his approach to curriculum development, artist mentorship, and building programs that deliver measurable results.
His leadership extends to the broader community. As President of Guitar Fort Worth beginning in 2008, he spearheaded regional initiatives that expanded access to classical guitar performance and education. He has been invited to present at prestigious institutions including Berklee College of Music and the Hamilton International Guitar Festival, and has performed on international stages.
Dr. Douglas holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas under celebrated guitar pedagogue Tom Johnson and completed a year of advanced study at the New England Conservatory of Music under renowned guitarist Eliot Fisk. Whether partnering with sponsors, directing festivals, or developing musicians and business operations, Dr. Douglas brings a rare combination of artistic credibility, academic rigor, and entrepreneurial vision.