Davis Martin

Education

MM, East Carolina University

BM, East Carolina University

Davis Martin is a composer, conductor, vocalist, and pianist based in Hartford, CT. He is currently pursuing a DMA in Music Composition at The Hartt School, where he is working as a Teaching Fellow, providing private composition lessons to undergraduate students. He completed a BM in Music Composition and MM degrees in Choral Conducting and Vocal Pedagogy at East Carolina University.

At ECU, he was an active force in the voice department as a conductor and performer in numerous vocal settings in addition to extracurricular engagements. He also maintained an active role in the composition program, serving as the organizer of the new music concert series, Frequencies. At The Hartt School, Davis has performed with Hartt Opera Theater. Presently, Davis is a member of Hartt’s Composers’ Ensemble where he is a graduate teaching assistant as well. He has also contributed to the organization and execution of the composition area’s Public Works concerts.

Davis’ proclivity for vocal music has extended into community events as well. He served as the Assistant Conductor of the Greenville Choral Society which puts on numerous concerts annually spanning multiple genres and idioms of music, broadcasting a variety of choral music to audiences across the Eastern North Carolina area. In Hartford, Davis has performed with Hartford Opera Theater.

As a composer, Davis primarily composes vocal chamber works but has also composed for various chamber ensembles such as string quartet, mixed vocal ensembles with ad hoc instrumentation, and numerous solo instruments. His strong piano and vocal background extends into his creative and compositional output. Recent performances include works for fixed media, an orchestral work for The Hartt School’s Foot in the Door ensemble, and songs for baritone and chamber ensemble.

One of Davis’ other primary interests is poetry, arising from his vocal background. As a poet, Davis won the University of Hartford’s Spring 2021 Writing Contest and has been published in Aerie and Rejected Lit Magazine. His poetic work is informed by his musical training but is tethered to different means of expression. Through his experiences in poetry, singing, and composing vocal music, he spearheaded Leaftides, a collaboration between University of Hartford poets, singers, and composers. This collaboration saw student poets paired with student composers who set their texts and culminated in a concert of these works as songs performed by student singers. 

Davis’ other interests include photography, collecting vinyl records, and playing video games.

Teaching Philosophy:

My teaching style is built upon the integration of classical and popular music in applied private study that introduces students to new ways of creating and listening music. Meeting students where they are and expanding upon their knowledge and interests bolsters how they interact and engage with music. It is my goal to ensure that students are able to compose the music they envision by removing any barriers between ideas and execution.