Douglas Canal pianist/teacher/ composer

Douglas Canal raised in Westport CT, began studying the piano at the age of 14 under the direction of John and Gay Mehegan (who formerly taught at Julliard and Yale School of Music.)

He graduated from Staples High School where he was the featured pianist in the Staples jazz ensemble. While performing at the Nutmeg State Jazz Festival, he won the award for outstanding musicianship and a scholarship to Berklee College of Music from the National Association of Jazz Educators.

He studied at the Bernard Arts Center at U.B. under the direction of the late Bill Finnigen, a famous jazz arranger for Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and the Sauter Finnigen orchestra. He performed as the featured pianist in the U.B. jazz ensemble under the direction of Brian Torff, a renowned jazz bassist, and educator. He also studied piano with Andy Laverne, a renowned jazz pianist and educator and Irene Schneidemann, a renowned classical pianist, and teacher.

He has been performing, teaching and composing professionally for the past twenty years in the Tri-state area. He has worked with the late world renowned recording artist Donna Summers and highly acclaimed local artists Janice Dempsey and Steve clarke. He has also performed with his jazz trio "Nouveau Jazz" (Michelle Meyer and Todd Schneider). He has composed music for the c.d. "Scenic Compositions," which was selected by P.B.S. television for music to be featured in their "Visions" program. 

Doug is currently performing and teaching privately in the Fairfield County area, and is an educational partner with Steinway Piano Gallery of Greenwich CT, where he holds piano recitals for his students.