Michael D. Golden

Michael D. Golden is a Professor of Music Composition and Theory at Soka University of America (since 1998) and a Research Fellow at the Min-On Music Research Institute (2015–present). He holds a DMA from the University of Washington (1992) and prior degrees from the University of Oregon. His research spans music composition, jazz improvisation, computer applications in music, ethnomusicology, and interdisciplinary studies like music-ecology and music-peacebuilding. He has been commissioned by orchestras like the South Coast Symphony and has performed internationally as a jazz pianist.

• Education:
  • Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), University of Washington (1992)
  • Master of Music (MM), University of Oregon
  • Bachelor of Music (BM), University of Oregon
• Key Commissions & Awards:
  • 2022 UC Irvine Keynote on 'Art and Ecology'
  • 1997 Guitar Foundation of America Composition Competition First Prize
  • Multiple orchestral commissions including South Coast Symphony's Suite Ceremonial

His teaching spans jazz piano, world music, and courses integrating music with ecology, peacebuilding, and neuroscience. Recent compositions include Homologous, Jim’s Journey, and For the Children of All Ages.