2020 RTPC Judges

2020 RTPC adjudicators

Doug Burn

Dr. Douglas Burn

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Douglas-Jayd Burn began serious musical study at age 18 and now holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Arizona (DMA 2018), the Hartt School (MM 2013), and Virginia Commonwealth University (BM 2007). Active as a soloist and chamber artist, he has performed with members of the Zürich Opera Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Deutsch Oper Berlin, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Burn is also a passionate scholar and particularly interested in the music of Paul Hindemith, and presented his lecture recital The German Romantic Style of Piano Sonata no. 1 “Der Main” as a part of his doctoral dissertation.

A fervent performer of new music, Burn has worked with and premiered works by composers including Joshua Nichols, Adriel Reynolds, Andrey Stolyarov, Matthew Kennedy, Kyle Wernke, Jessica Rugani, and Matthew Primm. During his tenure as Music Director at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, he established and coordinated their Composer-in-Residence program with the Hartt School composition program.

In his spare time, Douglas enjoys riding his motorcycle, walking in nature, and cinema.

Joshua Nichols

Mr. Joshua Nichols

Joshua Nichols is a sought-after composer, organist, and pianist. He received his bachelor’s degree from Belhaven University (B.A. Organ Performance, 2013), first master’s degree from Mississippi College (M.M. Organ Performance, 2017), and a second master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University (M.M. Composition, 2019). He is currently studying at the University of Arizona for his doctorate in composition (D.M.A.) and holds two prestigious teaching assistantships, one in general education and the other in class piano. His music is frequently commissioned in a variety of settings, including large ensemble, chamber ensemble, sacred music, and ballet/dance. Among his passions as a composer and performer are his dedication to the craft of musicianship. Joshua’s philosophy of pedagogy is to train a musician to be whole and well-rounded by inspiring them to love learning. He uses curiosity, passion, and excitement in the classroom and in private lessons to excite the musical soul and whet the student’s appetite to musicianship and the musical voice. His musical leanings are eclectic, including popular culture, jazz, romantic, film scores, and 20th century music.