Dr. Donovan Raitt, DMA
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2018 – 2021 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
Doctor of Musical Arts: Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance.
● Doctor of Musical Arts in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance, with an emphasis in Musicology and minors in Arts Leadership and Flamenco Guitar.
● Awarded a merit-based partial-tuition scholarship.
● 3.988 total grade point average
● 2021-22 Studio/Jazz Guitar Outstanding Graduate award recipient.
2007-2010 California State University Long Beach Long Beach, CA
Master of Music in Performance: Jazz Studies
● Scholarship recipient for private study with Ron Eschete.
● Studied improvisation and arranging with Jeff Jarvis, director of Jazz Studies.
● Master’s thesis, “Michael Hedges and the Re-Invention of Fingerstyle Guitar” completed in Fall 2010.
2002-2005. University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Music: Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance.
● Dean’s List all Semesters with a 3.6 total GPA
● Graduated with honors in 2005.
● Recipient of the Paul LaRose memorial scholarship for Studio/Jazz guitar.
● Phi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society
Work History
2018 – Present Musicians Institute Hollywood, CA
Guitar Instructor: Bachelors Program
● Guitar faculty in the Bachelor of Music program.
● Taught individual guitar lessons in Jazz, Fingerstyle, Classical, and Contemporary Rock and pop styles
● Taught beginning guitar for songwriters, Fingerstyle guitar techniques, and other guitar classes as needed.
● Coached ensembles Lectured in music history and world music cultures classes.
● Developed a guitar curriculum for contemporary guitar styles.
2018 – Present Hope International University Fullerton, CA
Adjunct Professor of Music and Worship Arts
● Taught applied private guitar lessons as well as worship arts leadership development.’
● Worked with students in private lesson and ensemble settings.
2016 - Present Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA
Adjunct Professor of Music, Guitar.
● Wrote, developed, and implemented the guitar program curriculum and designed and developed courses within that curriculum.
● Taught beginning through advanced group guitar classes.
● Taught and developed materials for History of Rock and Roll, as well as private applied guitar lessons.
● Taught at Los Amigos High School as a part of the Golden West College dual enrollment program, which offers college level classes to local high schools.
2006-Present Concordia University Irvine, CA
Adjunct Professor of Music, Guitar and Commercial Music.
● Instruction at the collegiate level for music majors and non-majors in contemporary, jazz, and classical guitar both in a private lesson and classroom setting.
● Wrote, developed, and implemented the guitar program curriculum and designed and developed courses within that curriculum. Taught beginning worship arts instruction (music and church leadership subjects) to incoming students in the worship arts program.
● Wrote, developed, and implemented the guitar program curriculum and designed and developed courses within that curriculum.
● Directed and performed with student ensembles at various school functions and chapel services.
2018 – 2021 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
Teaching Assistant: Studio/Jazz Guitar
● Taught beginning guitar for non-music major students, as well as private applied guitar lessons as part of a Teaching Assistantship award.
● Taught both in-person and online classes.
2010-13 Concordia University Seward, NE
Adjunct Professor of Music, Guitar and Worship Arts
● Taught online private guitar lessons through the university to students on the Seward campus from California using Skype, FaceTime, and Adobe Connect software.
● Assisted with developing the online guitar programs.
Church/Leadership Experience
2021 - Present Canvas Presbyterian Church Irvine, CA
Volunteer Musician and Sound Team Coordinator
● Currently serving as a volunteer musician and sound team member.
● Performed on guitar and background vocals.
● Ran the soundboard and video livestream for Sunday morning services.
2009-2021 Aliso Creek Presbyterian Church Aliso Viejo, CA
Director of Music and Worship Arts
● Directed all musical aspects of worship services for a congregation of 250.
● Performed on guitar and vocals in each service leading the congregation in corporate worship.
● Organized and recruited musicians, worked with the senior pastor and session to craft the vision for each service, select music, and fulfill the vision of the church.
● Organized and recruited volunteers to work in the sound team, visual arts team and music technology teams.
● Maintained the church music library, ccli and planning center accounts.
● Coordinated special programs for children’s ministry events and annual children’s choir performances and readings.
● Oversaw all social media aspects of the church. Managed Twitter, Facebook, Instagram pages.
● Maintained and updated the church website.
● Sent out weekly church emails from the senior pastor and church staff. Organized email lists and all correspondence from the church to the congregation.
● Graphic design work for the church website and church events.
● Lead successful campaigns to upgrade sound and visual equipment.
● Coordinated music for summer Vacation Bible School and Youth programs.
● Lead worship for Jr. High and High school ministries locally and during summer camps and retreats.
2002-2008 Knox Presbyterian Church Los Angeles, CA
Associate Musical Director of Contemporary Worship and The Art
● Led contemporary worship services to a congregation of 300.
● Performed on guitar and lead and backing vocals.
● Organized rehearsals, wrote charts, arranged, and directed music in directors’ absences. Recruited new band members and introduced new musical ideas.
2007-2010 Camp Jam LLC Atlanta, GA
Camp Director, Director of Music
● Organized and directed a summer music camp for 85 kids aged 7-17 in Orange County, CA.
● Hired and managed a staff of 5 teachers, 8 counselors, and sound and video engineers.
● Hired bands to perform master classes, organized a concert with over 300 attendees.
● Directed all day-to-day aspects of the camp.
● Oversaw curriculum design and implementation. Coached students on performance practices and techniques.
● Directed camps and taught in six cities across the country, including Denver, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Orange County.
Published Written Works and Publications.
2010: Michael Hedges and the Re-Invention of Fingerstyle Guitar
● Master’s thesis for Cal State University Long Beach. Currently seeking submissions for publication.
2008: The Practical Guitar Method: A Real-World Method for the Beginning to Advanced Guitarist.
● Self-Published guitar method book for beginning to advanced guitar students. Includes music reading, performance technique, and jazz theory sections.
● Includes basic classical music theory and ear training exercises.
● Lesson material is designed for quick understanding and long-term retention. 4th Edition released in 2021.
Discography
2022: Donovan Raitt: “One Man, Steely Dan”
● A combination audio cd and transcription set of 11 arrangements of Steely Dan compositions for fingerstyle guitar.
2019: Donovan Raitt: “Water and Light”
● 3rd Album of original compositions for solo fingerstyle guitar.
2018: Donovan Raitt “Acoustic Covers Vol.1”
● A collection of 10 solo guitar arrangements of contemporary pop/rock and jazz standards.
2015: Donovan Raitt: “Guitar Hymns Vol. 2”
● A full-length collection of traditional hymns arranged for solo fingerstyle guitar.
2014: Donovan Raitt: “Midwinter Hymns”
● An EP collection of traditional Christmas hymns arranged for solo fingerstyle guitar.
2014: Donovan Raitt: “Pursuing the Horizon”
● 2nd Album of original compositions for solo fingerstyle guitar.
2013: Donovan Raitt: “Christmas Hymns”
● A full-length collection of traditional Christmas hymns arranged for solo fingerstyle guitar.
2013: Donovan Raitt: “Guitar Hymns Vol. 1”
● A collection of five traditional hymns arranged for solo fingerstyle guitar
2012: Donovan Raitt: “Strategic Tension”
● Debut Album of original compositions for solo fingerstyle guitar.
Filmography
2017: “Acoustic Uprising”
● A full-length documentary on the acoustic fingerstyle guitar sub-genre of music for guitar released in 2017.
● Worked in collaboration with director Drew Roller to craft a narrative of the development of modern fingerstyle guitar from its inception in early American blues music and classical guitar to its modern form.
● Appear in the film in an interview that discusses the development of fingerstyle guitar and how it came to its current modern form.
Professional Endorsements
Furch Guitars, Breedlove Guitars, Godin Guitars, Ernie Ball Strings, G7th Capos, Henriksen Amplifiers, Dimarzio Pickups, GruvGear Straps and Cases.
Professional References
● Dr. Collette Hausey (Golden West College) (714) 892-7711, ext. 1049
● Steve Young (Concordia University) 949-214-3115
● Dr. Rachel Yoon (Musicians Institute) 323-860-1170
Academic References
● Nick Stoubis (Professor at USC, Chair of USC Guitar Dept.) 213-494-5409
● Frank Potenza (Professor at USC) 213-740-3096
Church References
● Rev. Kirk Winslow (Irvine Presybyterian Church/Canvas) 949 929-1454
● Rev. Dr. Mark Roberts (Irvine Presbyterian Church) 626-584-5325.
● Rev. Tom Gastil (Aliso Creek Church) (949) 460-0080
Personal References
● Samuel Nordrum (Concordia University) 714-356-4881