Dennis Davis has presented numerous concerts and recitals throughout the region including performances on National Public Radio and regional television. He has performed for celebrities and dignitaries such as Patrick Swayze, Wynonna Judd, and Dan Quayle, and, for notable events such as "Off Broadway Live," the Miss Kentucky Pageant, and the Grawemeyer Award Concert and Ceremony for Toru Takemitsu. He has performed or shared the stage with Mel Torme, Ben Vereen, Doc Severinsen, Matt Neiss, and Jeff Tyzik, among others.
As the first classical guitarist selected as an Honors Recitalist at the University of Kentucky (1991), Mr. Davis holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Kentucky (Guitar Performance) and a Master of Music degree from the University of Louisville (Guitar Performance). He has performed in materclasses for Christopher Parkening, Adam Holzman, Sharon Isbin, Frank Koonce, Joseph Hagedorn, Julian Gray, Ronald Pearl, and Oscar Ghiglia, among many others. He has received private coaching from David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, Eduardo Fernandez, Scott Tennant, William Kanengiser, David Dolata, and Clare Callahan. William Kanengiser described his most recent recital performance, now available on DVD, as "very expressive and solid playing." Mr. Davis studied jazz guitar with Scott Henderson, jazz improvisation (classes and clinics) with numerous educators, including Jamey Aebersold, Sam Holland, Jiggs Wiggsham, and David Baker, and has performed in jazz ensembles under the direction of Vince Dimartino, Miles Osland, and Dick Domeck.
As a member of the renowned Kentucky Jazz Repertoire Orchestra, Mr. Davis records and performs music by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and numerous other jazz icons. Their most recent recording features classic big band transcriptions from the swing dance era.
In December of 2005 Mr. Davis was invited to join The Lexington Guitar Trio, a group gaining national visibility with its recent CD release Dragons, Moods & Safaris.
As a member of the Walnut Street Ragtime Ramblers, Mr. Davis performs traditional Dixieland and Ragtime Jazz and was featured on the 2006 Great American Brass Band Festival compilation CD.
Mr. Davis directs the guitar program at Eastern Kentucky University. The EKU curriculum offers training in classical and jazz guitar performance, including courses in pedagogy and literature. Scholarships are available for qualified students. The EKU guitar program consists of approximately 25 graduate and undergraduate students. Students enjoy numerous performance opportunities including two touring guitar ensembles, jazz band, studio, chamber, and departmental recitals. The annual guitar festival features concerts and masterclasses with nationally recognized artists such as William Kanengiser (2005) and Chris Buzzelli (2004). Mr. Davis presided over the Guitar Society of Lexington-Central Kentucky for more than a decade and has held guitar instruction positions with the University of Kentucky Fine Arts Institute and The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts (Louisville).
Mr. Davis also coordinates music technology studies for the Department of Music at Eastern Kentucky University. He supervises and maintains the EKU Music Lab featuring 24 iMac Duo Core G5 computers and music specific software. As an active member of TI:ME (Technology Institute for Music Educators), he has taught certification workshops (Sibelius) for the University of Kentucky and TI:ME. The EKU music lab and technology courses have become models for several other institutions wanting to have similar offerings.
His courses feature segments on hard disk digital recording (DECK, PEAK, and Digital Performer), music notation (Finale and Sibelius), MIDI sequencing (Digital Performer), podcasting (Garageband and iTunes), and music specific web design (Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, and NVU). As webmaster for the EKU Department of Music, he maintains a root site of more than 200 active pages, including, forms, flash movies, images, video, and audio.
His freelance work spans more than 20 years of experience utilizing music technology. His performances regularly feature MIDI sequences that not only function as a complete digital ensemble, but also include real time digital vocal harmonization. Several theatrical productions have utilized his sequences for performances including the complete music for two seasons of holiday performances by the Lexington Children’s Theater. Teachers, conductors, and church musicians have contracted his services to input original compositions or arrangements into notation, upgrade studio equipment and software, or provide private tutorage in music technology. He is also regularly sought as a consultant and reviewer of writings on music technology.
By pioneering a technology focused methodology for student self-assessment, Mr. Davis has received several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kentucky Arts Council, the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, the EKU Office of Institutional Effectiveness, and the EKU Assessment Committee. Recent grants purchased digital video cameras, DVD recorders, and portable DVD players to record and assess lessons, performances, recitals, guest artists, seminars, and conferences as part of a new and innovative initiative focusing on student self-assessment.
