about

DOUGLAS OROFINO

Douglas Orofino (he/him) is a choir conductor, countertenor, and voice teacher based in Portland, Oregon, with a deep commitment to using vocal music as a tool for connection and community-building. His diverse background spans choral conducting, classical voice performance, and private teaching.

​

Douglas recently completed a master’s program in classical voice performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA), a historic institution located in the vibrant Chicago Loop, characterized by its strong emphasis on social justice. During his time at CCPA, Douglas thrived in various roles including Graduate Assistant for Music History, assistant conductor for the CCPA Chorale, and guest lecturer in music education classes. These experiences allowed him to refine his academic, artistic, and pedagogical skills. Additionally, he co-founded the Eleanor Ensemble, a gender-inclusive, conductor-less chamber choir committed to equal voice, trust, and camaraderie through singing.

​

In parallel with his teaching and academic responsibilities, Douglas showcased his operatic talents in roles such as Arsamene in Act I of Handel’s Serse during CCPA’s OperaFest XVI, and Valetto in Monteverdi’s L'incoronazione di Poppea.

​

While immersed in his graduate studies, Douglas also remained dedicated to fostering community and mentoring future singers. He held a faculty position at the Merit School of Music, where he taught classical voice, music theory, and conducted a middle school choir. His work with both CCPA and the Merit School of Music led him to co-author a Social Justice Seed Grant, which provided the funding to establish the Collaborative Music Project. This initiative serves as a presenting agency that brings together emerging professionals and dedicated amateurs for performances, beginning with the Unsung recital series, which highlights underrepresented classical and musical theater composers.

​

Before his time in Chicago, Douglas worked both domestically and internationally as a music teacher and choir director. From 2014 to 2022, he served as the Director of Choirs at Prairie High School and Chief Umtuch Middle School in Brush Prairie, Washington. His international experience includes a teaching position outside Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with the NGO Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, where he produced a CD, Hoy en Oración, with their children’s choir.

​

Now back in the Pacific Northwest, Douglas is excited to take on the role of Director of Choirs at Ida B. Wells High School in the Portland Public School District, and serve as the Artistic Director for the West Linn Community Choir. Whether conducting, teaching, or performing, Douglas passionately believes that the stories we tell through music have the power to shape us and the society we live in.

​

Douglas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Portland, where he graduated magna cum laude. He is a native of Placerville, CA.