Hello friends - welcome to my website!
I’m a music director/conductor/pianist/composer/vocal coach/arranger/educator living in Los Angeles.
Music is integral to everyone at all ages and skill levels and has deep, undeniable transformative powers.
Scroll to the bottom to learn more about me, my projects, and to see how I can help facilitate music into your life.
Thank you for your consideration and patronage, and above all, have a nice day.
More about me
Music has the power to transform our mood or state, transport us back in time, and even lift people temporarily from states of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Music is a gift to share and chat about and no musical inquiry, topic, or question is off-limits with me.
Originally from Saint Paul, MN, I received a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Iowa State University and a Master’s degree in performance as well from The Boston Conservatory.
After 10 years on the road conducting and playing various Broadway and regional productions, I made the jump to LA to pursue the tv/film side of things. I now reside here doing just that, while filling in my schedule with amongst other things - playing Broadway tours that come to town, heading the musical department of the Tony Award-Winning Pasadena Playhouse’s Summer High School Program, music directing new and existing works of musical theatre, vocal coaching, playing lost chamber and pop music with my trio, scoring, and arranging for voice and instruments.
Need any of this in your life? Let’s chat!
Music directing/conducting the national tour of WICKED
Samplings of my work and projects
WICKED, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Band’s Visit, Women of a Certain Age, Yesterday Once More; The Sound of Karen Carpenter, The MUNY, Barrington Stage Company
Broadway Tours/Regional Houses/LA Theatre -
in LA - The Pantages (Moulin Rouge, The Book Of Mormon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, etc.) The Dolby, The Pasadena Playhouse, La Mirada, JAXX, The Pageant Of The Masters, various readings of new musicals
Piano, violin, and cello trio performing around the Los Angeles area specializing in rare chamber music and The Beatles and other classic pop.
The Artifact Trio -
The Simone and Adam Duo -
Our cello and piano team similar to the trio in performing lost gems of the repertoire but also ranging to the top 40 hits of today.
Both groups tailor 1-4 hour set lists to individualize and elevate your event. Perfect for every setting from up-scale corporate to low-scale backyard BBQ party. Inquire below.
ONWARD - Votes For Women - a commissioned play from The Associates of the Boston Public Library honoring the 100th anniversary of the suffrage movement. Half original score, half arrangements of Americana classics, rally tunes, and suffragist/anti-suffragist songs
Coup de Grace - score, Independent film - Best Overall Short Feature at the Oxford Film Festival.
The Wolf We Feed/Why Are We Here? - Docuseries/Play - score
MOMologues the Musical - music supervisor, vocal arranger, orchestrator, contributing composer
Piano Quartet in D Major - 4 mvt, 26-min. piece for vln, vla, and vcl
50+ pop and classical arrangements for piano trio
More for various and all combinations of voice and instruments, pop and classical
Compositions/Scoring/Arranging -
Private Coachings -
I love working with all age groups on all things music. Piano, voice, and instrumental performance coachings available - classical, theatre, or pop. Solo or group. 45 to 90 minute time slots when available - contact me for more details and to discuss what you’re looking for.
The Pasadena Playhouse - Annual Music Director of their Summer Musical Theatre High School Bootcamp
Elite High Schools recently served:
Marlborough School
Loyola
St. Francis
Other Fun TYA projects:
JAXX Theatricals
MTYP/MTKC - Be The Sun
Panelist/coach at various high-school workshops, clinics, and masterclasses.
Theatre for Young Audiences -
The kids of the Pasadena Playhouse Summer Bootcamp
Conductor cam shot from the Kennedy Center
A candid pic of my best friend and me
The incredible women of ONWARD
A few accolades, memories, and favorites
Receiving the Iowa State University Department of Music Alumni Of The Year Award
Working with the amazing revolving cast stars of Broadway and TV on MOMologues the Musical
Performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with a full orchestra
Performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with orchestra/original orchestrations and first-performance material (later cut) reinstated
Making charts for, playing for, or music directing 8 Broadway Cares'/Equity Fights AIDS cabarets raising $275,000
Nursing home and assisted living outreach - bringing music individually and with musical casts/friends to people confined in homes
5 years as Music Director of Northminster Presbyterian Church - Ames, Iowa
Music Directing and receiving Best Overall Musical at the New York International Fringe Festival with Far From Canterbury
Taking 3rd Place at the Minnesota State Fair Talent Competition performing for over 14,000 spectators
Winning the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Talent Competition
61 professional fully-staged musicals on my resume to date
218 professional cabarets, readings, recitals, benefits, galas, and concerts
Wonderful musical moments without pics -
As you can see, I love all aspects of music. As Alanis Morissette once said, “…music is an unending dialogue.” I have found that to be true. The moment I’ve tired of one topic, I spark up a conversation with another musical avenue and away I fly on an unending and surprising journey of knowledge of new music and new musical styles. It’s never-ending. I love music history. I love 20th century tonal theory. I love EDM and pop. I love to play and I love to conduct. I love film scores, country, Broadway, Gregorian chant and rap. If it’s music, I love it.
What are your passions or musical needs and how do they align with my skills and expertise to create for you and continue you on that unending dialogue of your own? Contact me below.
Location
Los Angeles
New York
Zoom
Contact Me
Professional references and reviews available upon request
For recordings, Trio/Duo inquiries, coaching inquiries, or full resume:
adamryanmcdonald@gmail.com
515-520-9586
check out my pics and vids on insta: adamrmcdonald
Hours
Monday — Sunday
24/7/365
Music is timeless