Doug York
Artist’s Statement
As a writer/producer/performer I wear many hats, juggle many details, nurture many
relationships. A creative life satisfies that part of me that needs to be bold and make shiny, new things that amaze, inspire, educate and entertain. My productions are meant to take people out of the ordinary into that willing suspension of disbelief, tickling imaginations through my stories, songs, and inventions. So really I’m interested in creating laughter, love and a little relief from the day to day for my audiences. Doing this original work defines me in a way that doing an ordinary job would not, I fear. Therefore, I want to excel at my craft and to create extraordinary experiences for my viewers.
Music is my religion, which I practice daily. Playing or ‘practicing’ singing/piano/keyboards/drums enlivens my perceptions, makes me more tolerant of others and puts me ‘in tune’ with my higher power. While I feel more at home behind a drum kit, I take musical explorations on the keyboards. Recently, I was hired to create an ‘environment’ for an art opening. My client wanted a “tribal pulse” so I used two laptops, drum machines,keyboards, an African talking drum, a Middle Eastern dumbek and good ol’ upright piano to perform original material using many different instruments. By cross pollinating and weaving sound textures and real instruments together, the soundscape really transported listeners to another world. I’ve been writing, performing and recording music all my life, from the beginning, putting on “Beatle Concerts” in my grandmother’s garage with the cousins, to touring extensively with a gospel group, performing in churches and amphitheatres to a recent project paying tribute to the genius of the gentleman, Ray Charles. About ten years ago, I recorded an album of original music to accompany a conscious breathing sequence called “Breathe.” It was adapted as a soundtrack but stands on it’s own as music for relaxation. There is a music for every mood and music has the power to change a mood or a feeling in the room. It’s truly a magical art form.
View a video of Doug here.
As a teacher, I provide fun and inspiring structural and technical support for my students. I offer quality education in popular music with both private and group instruction. I work with absolute beginners to advanced players. It’s fun to try and unlock their talents. Although it sometimes tries my patience, I want my students to learn that “there are no wrong notes” and to show them “here’s how to make it work, musically”. I want them to experience various types of musics from various cultures. I hope some, with the courage to use these influences, will find unexpected pleasure in discovering an ancient culture through unique musical pathways. I enjoy watching as my students grow, especially those who have really made their instrument an extension of their own personality, who treat their musical work as a craftsperson and those who enjoy being around other people who love music and learning, as much as they do, too. These are some of the lovely rewards of teaching music for some thirty five years.
As an actor, I have performed and recorded as a “voice” talent, a stage actor, screen actor, TV Host, and Emcee. I’ve been presenting an original production, “Murder on the Rails” since 2001. This fun who-dunnit showcases my brand of physical comedy and character acting. From a practical standpoint, I must say I’ve utilized my acting skills during some pretty tough business negotiations and in some really wacky sales meetings! This year I’ve written two new shows, each one requiring different acting strengths. My acting work features improvisation, music and, of course, interaction with our beloved audiences. Acting is not ‘pretending’; it is a ‘becoming’ of a ‘believable’ character. This artistic practice, like music, has the power to deepen, broaden and diversify perception, taking the actor and the audience on a journey beyond the walls of the theatre or television screen and into another world.
www.dougyork.com
Doug York Productions
Po Box 1425
Mt. Shasta, Ca 96067
Phone: (530) 925-0660
Email: doug@dougyork.com
| Interview: Doug York July 20, 2005 1. How long have you been a resident in Siskiyou County? 2. Can you give a short explanation of your specialty or your artistic medium? 3. How long have you been making art (professionally and unprofessionally)? 4. Is art your full time career? 5. How have you learned your art? Have you had any formal art education? 6. Can you talk a little about your experience as an artist in Siskiyou County? (In other words, what is unique about being an artist in this area?) (Pros and Cons) (economic, cultural, physical/geographic) 7. Do you feel like living in Siskiyou County has influenced your art? What aspects have you drawn inspiration from? 8. Do you feel like art in Siskiyou County has any prominent trends or patterns? If so, how do you see your own art in relation to these? 9. If you had to describe your style in a few words how would you do this? 10. What is it about making art and the creative process that you find most interesting or are most passionate about? 11. Is there any way you would like to see your county arts organization better assist you? 12. Because of current trends in funding for art programs, all SAC involvement is done through volunteers. Is there anything that the SAC is doing that interests you and that you would like to help us with in the future? |
people like me. I have created and hosted television shows there. Since I am so active in the community, a lot of people are very generous with supporting me and helping me with my art. This is unique about living in a small community. If I were to move out of the area to make more money, let’s say to LA, I become a very small fish in a big pond. There’s a lot a talent there, everyone is a writer, director, or actor. I think I own a niche here that I have created for myself.
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