David Maki

David Maki is a composer and pianist based in the Chicago area. Maki’s compositions have been performed widely at regional, national and international venues by many diverse ensembles and musicians. His music has been described as “fresh and unusual” by All Music Guide, “vivid, languid, introspective” by American Record Guide and “meditative and beautiful” by Fanfare Magazine. Recordings of his music can be found on the Albany Records and Avid Sound Recordings labels.

Maki has substantial experience as a pianist and collaborative artist performing a variety of genres including classical, jazz, lounge, and new music; he has toured Scandinavia twice as pianist with Amerikan Laulajat (Finnish Male Singers of North America).

Currently, Maki is on the faculty of Northern Illinois University, where he is Associate Professor of Music, and serves as Assistant Director and Coordinator of Music Theory and Composition in the School of Music. He holds degrees in composition from Northern Illinois University (B.M.), the University of Iowa (M.A.), and the University of Michigan (D.M.A.). His composition teachers include Jan Bach, David Gompper, Evan Chambers, Bright Sheng, and Michael Daugherty; his piano teachers include Donald Walker and Logan Skelton.