Music - education - production
Peter Douskalis is a musician, orchestrator, songwriter, and educator. He is the cofounder and Project/Music Director of Sounds of Cyprus and he is a substitute guitarist on various Broadway shows.
He currently is a substitute musician for the Broadway productions of The Lion King and Hamilton. Other Broadway substitution credits include Dear Evan Hansen, School of Rock, Mean Girls, Mrs Doubtfire, and Caroline, or Change. Notable off-Broadway credits include substituting at SUFFS, The Office Parody Musical, and Desperate Measures.
Off-Broadway chairs include Desperate Measures and Bad Ass Beauty: A Rock Opera! He has also performed with the Broadway Inspirational Voices. He is a participating musician on the Grammy nominated ‘Caroline, or Change’ New Broadway cast album (2022).
He is cofounder and Project/Music Director of the group Sounds of Cyprus, with the goal of promoting and preserving the traditional Cypriot music, with contemporary approaches, abroad and to next generations. The project partly is a research into his own roots but also an effort to unite the communities of conflicted heritage while also promoting the beauty of Cypriot music, culture, history, and language to broader audiences. It is a tangible and practical project that demonstrates the beauty of intercultural music education and positive cultural exchange.
He is the author of the "Essential Elements Guitar Ensembles: Multicultural Songs" - Hal Leonard Corporation
He is also cofounder of PANEL - the umbrella project of Sounds of Cyprus which also includes music projects of Greek music, American music, Original music, and education programs.
Peter has published three academic articles in education journals and has given two TEDx Talks on multicultural music and intercultural music education.
Peter can be seen performing around New York City with his groups
"The talented musicians delighted the audience with their skillful playing while Douskalis' comments provided insights into the charming and movingly beautiful works of world music."
- Eleni Sakellis - The National Herald
“He has chops to spare and at times his ES175 sounds like more than one player…superb straight ahead jazz playing”
– Ed Benson – Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
“He follows in the footsteps of Joe Pass and other masters of the solo jazz guitar…he develops momentum in single-string lines but he is most accomplished in bass-line and chord-melody work”
– Clive Cooper – Jazz Journal (UK)
“While he is a melodic player, Douskalis sometimes emulates an orchestra and pulls it off. Melody,
harmony, bass lines all interact logically, sometimes making it sound as if more than one guitarist is on the CD.”
– Scott Yanow – Los Angeles Jazz Scene
“displays an easy flowing sense of melody...surges live a wave...”
– Jerome Wilson - Cadence Magazine
“Noteworthy technique, a creative approach, assured touch and glorious tone.”
– Brad Walseth – JazzChicago.net
“Douskalis is clearly a gifted musician, and his fleet-fingered attack often manages to make his Gibson ES-175 sound like several instruments.”
– Tony Rogers – JazzCDReviews.com
“Mesmerizing…an extremely talented artist…”
– June Middleton – Minding Your Business (NYC TV show)
“It's refreshing to hear a soloist in touch with his instrument and the sounds that come out of it…what is perhaps most impressive is Douskalis' touch and ability to emote a melody line.”
– Wildy Haskell - Wildy's World
"Somehow Peter’s guitar reaches out and touches your soul. The music caresses you like a lover’s hand, and your troubles just seem to melt away...One listen and you’ll be entranced.”
– Andrea Guy - Mossip
“lighting up the Jazz industry with his amazing Jazz guitar performances that are sure to delight music fans.”
– Isaac Davis Jr. - Junior's Cave - Online Magazine