Doug Tornquist

Doug Tornquist is an adjunct instructor at the USC Thornton School of Music, California Institute of the Arts, and the Colburn School. He specializes in teaching tuba within the Winds & Percussion program. Since 1987, he has been a prominent freelance musician in Southern California, serving as principal tuba for the Long Beach Symphony and performing with major orchestras like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

• Bachelor’s degree from University of Southern California (studied with Jim Self and Tommy Johnson)
• Master’s degree from Wichita State University
• Doctor of Musical Arts from USC

His research and professional focus spans music performance, brass instrumentation, film scoring (over 400 soundtracks including Star Wars: The Force Awakens), and orchestral collaboration. Tornquist’s work bridges academic instruction with practical performance, emphasizing interdisciplinary applications in entertainment and classical music.

Awards include the GRAMMY Award for his role in the premiere recording of Penderecki’s Credo. He has also released solo and collaborative albums such as Feels Like Far and Fiat Lux.