BIOGRAPHY
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. His music has been described as “fresh and unusual” by All Music Guide, “vivid, introspective” by American Record Guide and “meditative and beautiful” by Fanfare. Recordings of his music can be found on the Albany Records, Avid Sound Recordings, and Parma Recordings labels.
He has substantial experience as a pianist and collaborative artist performing a variety of genres including classical, jazz, and new music; he has toured Scandinavia twice as pianist with Amerikan Laulajat.
In November of 2022, two of Maki’s pieces were included on a CD released by Neuma Records — “Ilta” for flute and percussion and “Inertia” for steel pan (double seconds) and marimba. In February of 2023, Maki’s “Another Time” for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano, and percussion was performed by the TEMPO Ensemble in Los Angeles. Two recent commissions were premiered in May of 2023 — “Aika,” for vibraphone and piano, commissioned by Gregory Beyer and Mabel Kwan performed at Constellation Chicago, and “Dreams,” for SATB choir and piano commissioned by Freeport High School. Also in May, the Avalon String Quartet performed Maki’s “Bagatelle,” at the Epiphany Center Chicago; it is one of six pieces commissioned after each of the Op. 18 Beethoven string quartets as part of the Avalon’s Beethoven and Beyond project.
Maki is on the faculty of Northern Illinois University, where he is Professor of Music and serves as Coordinator of Music Theory and Composition. He holds degrees in composition from Northern Illinois University (BM), the University of Iowa (MA), and the University of Michigan (DMA).