DOUG PHILLIPS
INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIALS
Owner/Operator of Rocky Mountain Guitar Studio
Completed Suzuki Books 1-8 Training
Master of Music, Classical Performance, University of Denver
Bachelor of Music, Classical Performance, Towson University
INSTRUCTOR BIO
Doug obtained a Master of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, studying under the renowned performer, composer, and educator Ricardo Iznaola. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Towson University, where he studied under Troy King. He has also studied jazz guitar with Sean McGowan and composition with Bill Hill, and currently studies with session guitarist Maurice Arenas.
Doug continues his professional development through ongoing studies in composition, contemporary guitar styles, and sound design. He studies composition and modern progressive guitar concepts with Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini, The Helix Nebula) and synth orchestration and sound design with Eric Guenther of The Contortionist.
Doug is a Suzuki teacher, a method developed to teach classical music to ages 3 and up, studying at Asociacion Suzuki de Violín de Puerto Rico in San Juan with David Madsen. He has received advanced teacher training through book 8. Doug and his students regularly attend workshops, and he has taught the method since 2019.
His students have been accepted in prestigious academic programs such as Denver School of the Arts, CU Boulder College of Music, CSU School of Music, Bolton Guitar Studies at the University of Arizona, Tucson, and placed in the University of Denver's guitar competition.
In addition to operating a successful private studio for the past 20 years, Doug was a lecturer at the University of Colorado Denver, where he taught private lessons and beginner guitar courses. He spent several summers at CU Denver's partnership program in Beijing, China, teaching courses such as American popular music and music appreciation at China Agricultural University. As a lifelong learner, Doug has been inspired by this experience, studying Chinese since 2016.
