FRED VAN DOREN – BIO
Fred Van Doren has been a professional musician for more than 30 years. He studied classical piano with Tsuya Matsuki, a student of Tobian Mathay; organ and harmony with Leon Wood, and jazz piano with Don Friedman and Jaki Byard. He also studied percussion with Morris Goldberg, Abe Marcus and John Beck. Though he did coursework in music at Georgia State University and Eastman School of Music, Fred took his degree in Russian, and holds a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from UC Berkeley.
Fred has worked in almost every musical genre, from the three-chord rock he played as a kid in a garage band to classical and theater music. But what he loves best is music of improvisation – blues, rock, and most of all, jazz. At home with both accoustic and electric instruments, Fred still prefers the rich and nuanced sound of a grand piano, whenever it is available.
As a solo performer, Fred has played in countless public and private venues in concert, in concert-talks, and even as pure ambience, when requested. As a group perfomer, he has colloborated with singers, instrumentalists and ensembles of all kinds. In Central PA, he played with artists Robin Work, Keith Mohler, Jim Miller, Patrick Murphy, Steve Varner, Steve Meashey, Curt Sipe, and many others. Since moving to Bucks County, PA in 2007, Fred has performed with the Carol Heffler Quartet and Bucks County Playhouse.
As an accompanist, Fred has played for voice recitals and competitions, choruses and choirs, Actors Equity auditions, and stage performances.
As music director at Allenberry Theater, Fred trained and rehearsed singers for more than 30 Broadway shows. He also prepared virtual orchestra tracks, conducted and played in the pit. For the annual Christmas and Murder Mystery productions, he contributed original music.
As an arranger, Fred has written vocal charts for the theater, church choirs, and student performances with the Van Doren Chamber Orchestra.
As a composer, Fred has written works for young instrumentalists, voice, piano. and chamber ensembles.
As a teacher, Fred has taught traditional piano, jazz piano and improvisation to children and adults of all ages and abilities for more than 20 years. Creativity and active music-making in all styles are encouraged. For more on FredŐs teaching philosophy, click here.