about
Propelled by the joys of creating, experiencing, and being a noisemaker, Damali’s artistry is one that brings audiences on individual and collective emotional journeys. Born and raised just outside of Atlanta, GA, Damali Willingham is a conductor, composer, bassoonist, and educator based in New Haven, CT. They received their bachelor’s degree in music composition and conducting summa cum laude from the Berklee College of Music. Recent highlights include a guest appearance with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra for their Seen/Unseen concert production in collaboration with Terri Lynne Carrington, and a conducting fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival where they were awarded the Robert J. Harth Conductor Prize. Damali’s 24/25 season features guest conducting appearances with the Chelsea Symphony, and covers with the Lexington Philharmonic and Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestras.
Damali’s promise as a conductor was apparent from a young age; they were nominated for a Georgia High School Musical Theater Award for Best Orchestra at just seventeen years old. During their studies at the Berklee College of Music, they served as musical director and guest conductor of various ensembles including the Berklee Musical Theater Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Film Scoring Session Orchestra, and the Berklee Motion Picture Orchestra, the school’s largest student-run ensemble. Damali was chosen as the youngest fellow for the inaugural Girls Who Conduct and Georgia Symphony Orchestra conducting fellowship in 2021, and they have studied with renowned conductors of many styles including Robert Spano, Melisse Brunet, Mark Stringer, Francisco Noya, Eric Stern, and Tamara Dworetz.
As a composer and arranger, Damali explores the realms of soul, funk, jazz, and gospel in the world of contemporary classical music. They have received commissions from the Emory Youth Symphony and the Gena Branscombe Project, and they regularly arrange for classical and contemporary ensembles alike, with a passion for pops orchestra. Most recently, Damali completed reclamation for solo bassoon, which was premiered and recorded by Dr. Amy Pollard at the University of Georgia.
In addition to conducting and composing, Damali shares their creative passion through teaching and working with youth. They have worked as a private tutor in Western and Jazz music theory, bassoon, counterpoint, conducting, and composition for seven years, held an interactive conducting position with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra allowing audiences to conduct along during their live performances, and recently completed a fellowship with the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras where they taught music theory and bassoon in addition to their conducting responsibilities.
Damali’s experience as a Black Queer person is central to their creative practice; their work centers the celebration and liberation of their communities through artistic expression, community engagement, musical innovation, and universal accessibility. Outside of music, Damali enjoys roller skating, spending time in nature, and cooking for their loved ones.