David Doke
David Doke is a dedicated and accomplished music educator with over three decades of experience in orchestra program development and conducting. Recently retired, Dr. Doke spent his teaching career in the Cobb County School District in Georgia, where he established successful orchestra programs at both North Cobb High School and Hillgrove High School.Â
Dr. Doke is passionate about providing students with unique and transformative musical experiences. Under his direction, the Hillgrove and North Cobb orchestras performed at the GMEA State Conference on three occasions and at prestigious venues, including Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Symphony Hall in Boston, the Kennedy Center in Washington, and multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall. He also led students on international performance tours of China, France, and Iceland. He has been the director for the University of Georgia Summer Music Institute and guest conductor for honor orchestras across several states.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Dr. Doke is a sought-after clinician and performance evaluator. His commitment to innovative teaching methods led to a featured interview on CNN Headline News, where he discussed the integration of alternative styles and technology in music education.
Before his career in education, Dr. Doke had a distinguished career as a professional violinist, performing with orchestras around the world including the Springfield (MO) Symphony, the Rockford (IL) Symphony, the Georgia Symphony, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, la Orquest Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, the Mexico Philharmonic, la Orquesta FilarmĂłnica de la UNAM in Mexico City, and the American Institute of Music Studies in Graz, Austria. His versatility extends to alternative styles, having performed fiddle and mandolin with country music legend Ray Price and later with the Atlanta-based funk band, the Squirrelheads.
Dr. Doke holds a Doctorate in Music Education from Boston University, a Master of Music in Violin Performance from DePaul University, and a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
Clinic Offerings
Achieving Excellence Together:Fostering Student Collaboration in a Community of
Educators can enhance student performance by transitioning from a teacher-centered to a student-centered model, encouraging deeper engagement, collaboration, and ownership of their musical journey. This session will explore practical strategies for establishing and sustaining a Community of Practice (CoP) that prioritizes creativity, leadership, and self-directed learning.
Fostering Musical Literacy: Teaching Music Theory as Part of Daily Rehearsals
When we are reading a piece of music, wouldn’t it be great to know what to do, when, and how it should sound? Unfortunately, many of our students miss key concepts of music theory, such as note-reading, key signatures, tonality, and Italian musical terms. The good news is that it is all right in front of us. In this session, we will analyze a musical score and explore strategies for incorporating music theory into daily rehearsals, making it an integral and engaging part of the learning process.
Meeting Students Where They Play: Creative Strategies to Differentiate Instructi
This session will provide educators with creative strategies to differentiate instruction—modifying content, process, product, and environment—to ensure all students thrive. Whether supporting advanced learners or those who struggle, teachers will gain practical tools that promote engagement, build motivation, and cultivate independent musicianship, all with the goal of maximizing each student’s success.
Rehearsal Strategies: Efficient Use of Time on the Podium
This session will explore strategies for maximizing rehearsal time by implementing daily routines that can enhance individual student engagement and ensemble growth. Educators will discover resources that can develop numerous skills in their students through daily exercises that can be applied to performance literature.