William Doppmann


William Doppmann was an American concert pianist and composer. At the University of Michigan he was the only musician to ever win both the Walter W. Naumburg Award and the Michaels Memorial Award in a single season. As a composer, Doppmann was the recipient of two Guggenheim Fellowships.

Early life

William Doppmann started his piano lessons at the age of 5. His first major show was when he was 10 years old, in which he performed with the Cincinnati Orchestra. By the time he entered college he had been in over 500 performances. Doppmann moved to Michigan and attended University of Michigan studying composition with Homer Kelly and Ross Lee Finney, and later studied with Carl Hugo Grimm at the University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music. During his second year in college, Doppmann won his first awards, the Walter W. Naumburg Award and the Michaels Memorial Award as a young artist.

Career

William Doppmann moved to New York City after college, where he spent time studying and performing for symphony's like Marlboro Music Festival. Doppmann was then inducted into the Army and stationed in France and Germany for 2 years. Returning from the Army, Doppmann took care of his children and his wife. He became a professor in three major universities in Washington, and was a composer for the next 12 years. In 1985 he moved back to New York to continue his career a pianist/composer. He then performed recitals in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and South America. He served as artistic director of the Port Townsend Chamber Music Society in Washington for 20 years. He was married to Willa Doppmann, who was a Director of the Second City Chamber Series.

Selected works