Meet Justin Davis, our new resident music director! We’re excited to welcome him and his talents as we begin Season 75, just in time for our opening musical of INTO THE WOODS! Many of you will get to meet him Sunday night at the pre-audition workshop and next Monday or Tuesday at auditions. Welcome, Justin! We’re so happy you’re here at Ocala Civic Theatre.
Conductor and music director Justin Davis is a versatile artist, respected on the concert hall stage, in the musical theater/opera pit, and the musical marching idiom. Dr. Davis is proud to serve as Resident Music Director for Ocala Civic Theatre for the 75th season. He is excited to collaborate with all the great people on stage, off stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience who make OCT thrive!
Dr. Davis brings more than two decades of teaching and arts experience to OCT. He has been recognized nationally for his conducting as a semi-finalist for Opera conducting in The American Prize (2015). He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s Degree in conducting from Western Illinois University. His Bachelor’s Degree is in Music Education (Vocal and Instrumental concentrations), also from WIU. He has directed professional, collegiate, high school, and community ensembles in Tennessee, Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Illinois and Florida. He also has led his ensembles on international and national performance tours to Canada and the United States. He enjoys spending time as a clinician and collaborator with area arts programs.
Performance credits as conductor include Melbourne Community Theater (FL), Titusville Playhouse (FL), 49th International Horn Society Professional Horn Ensemble (IL), Southern Tier Symphony (NY), Brevard Summer Musical Theater (FL), Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra (FL), La Crosse Symphony Orchestra (WI), and Macomb Municipal Band (IL).
As a hornist and vocalist, he has performed with the rock band Kansas, Walt Disney World Orchestra (FL), The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (IL), Greensboro Community Theater (NC), La Crosse Community Theater (WI), Knox-Galesburg Symphony (IL), Western Illinois University Singers (IL), ENCORE Cast Choir/Orchestra (FL), along with many other church and community ensembles.
On stage, Dr. Davis was proud to perform in Oklahoma! (Jud), A Christmas Carol (Violin #3), The Nutcracker (The Prince), and backstage for many productions on tech crew. His love of theater was kindled by great experiences with friends as a youth community theater performer. It continues today as he is cast frequently in the uncredited role of “Annual Pass Audience member #35 sobbing at end of show” for Festival of The Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
When not making music, he uses skills from his training as a certified cybersecurity professional and owner of Villages Computer Consulting to proudly help community members with their “darn cell phone.” He also proudly serves on AV and music staff for United Church of Christ at The Villages (Oxford, FL) and enjoys “practicing retirement” at the local golf courses. He thanks his teachers, colleagues, and former students for their lessons taught to him, and his parents for their support of every journey.
Conductor and music director Justin Davis is a versatile artist, respected on the concert hall stage, in the musical theater/opera pit, and the musical marching idiom. Dr. Davis is proud to serve as Resident Music Director for Ocala Civic Theatre for the 75th season. He is excited to collaborate with all the great people on stage, off stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience who make OCT thrive!
Dr. Davis brings more than two decades of teaching and arts experience to OCT. He has been recognized nationally for his conducting as a semi-finalist for Opera conducting in The American Prize (2015). He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s Degree in conducting from Western Illinois University. His Bachelor’s Degree is in Music Education (Vocal and Instrumental concentrations), also from WIU. He has directed professional, collegiate, high school, and community ensembles in Tennessee, Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Illinois and Florida. He also has led his ensembles on international and national performance tours to Canada and the United States. He enjoys spending time as a clinician and collaborator with area arts programs.
Performance credits as conductor include Melbourne Community Theater (FL), Titusville Playhouse (FL), 49th International Horn Society Professional Horn Ensemble (IL), Southern Tier Symphony (NY), Brevard Summer Musical Theater (FL), Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra (FL), La Crosse Symphony Orchestra (WI), and Macomb Municipal Band (IL).
As a hornist and vocalist, he has performed with the rock band Kansas, Walt Disney World Orchestra (FL), The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (IL), Greensboro Community Theater (NC), La Crosse Community Theater (WI), Knox-Galesburg Symphony (IL), Western Illinois University Singers (IL), ENCORE Cast Choir/Orchestra (FL), along with many other church and community ensembles.
On stage, Dr. Davis was proud to perform in Oklahoma! (Jud), A Christmas Carol (Violin #3), The Nutcracker (The Prince), and backstage for many productions on tech crew. His love of theater was kindled by great experiences with friends as a youth community theater performer. It continues today as he is cast frequently in the uncredited role of “Annual Pass Audience member #35 sobbing at end of show” for Festival of The Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
When not making music, he uses skills from his training as a certified cybersecurity professional and owner of Villages Computer Consulting to proudly help community members with their “darn cell phone.” He also proudly serves on AV and music staff for United Church of Christ at The Villages (Oxford, FL) and enjoys “practicing retirement” at the local golf courses. He thanks his teachers, colleagues, and former students for their lessons taught to him, and his parents for their support of every journey.
