Douglas Olenik has enjoyed a career filled with variety. On top of performing on the tuba in virtually all styles of music, he is a music educator with experience at the collegiate and public school levels. Whether in one-on-one or full ensemble environments, Douglas is equally at home. His arrangements have been performed in every level of musicianship - beginner, intermediate, collegiate, and professional. Whether for ensembles he performs in or for other groups, Douglas has written for solo instrument, chamber ensembles of any instrument family, concert band, marching band, orchestra, and even pop, rock, and jazz. He is an active clinician, guest conductor, soloist, substitute musician, and adjudicator.
Most recently a tubist for the 399th Army Band at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Douglas performed in the Ceremonial Band, Concert Band, and the Route 66 Brass Band. He was also the public affairs officer, where he designed videos, graphics, captured photos of major events, and managed the band's social media and marketing strategies. In 2022, he organized a major recruiting tour for the Route 66 Rock Band where they visited 12 different universities across five states performing exciting music of a wide range of styles and to share with musicians what the career of an Army musician is like.
Prior to joining the military, he was the Director of Bands at Ottawa-Glandorf Local Schools in Ottawa, Ohio. He instructed bands in grades 5 through 12, teaching concert band, jazz band, marching band, pep band, and chamber ensembles. In 2019, the Titan Marching Band made its first appearance in six years to the OMEA State Marching Band Finals, where they received an "Excellent" rating.
Before teaching at Ottawa-Glandorf, he was the Director of Bands at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky and instructed the Marching Bulldog Band, pep band, some music courses and private lessons. Prior to his appointment at Union, he was the Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at Defiance College where he also conducted the Black Swamp Symphony Orchestra, assisted with the band and choral program, taught courses in music, and instructed private lessons. He was also the assistant band director at Kalida High School during the marching band season in 2014. Douglas was also the principal tubist for the Urbana Pops Orchestra of Urbana, Illinois for 10 years during his time as a collegiate professor and public school teacher.
Most recently a tubist for the 399th Army Band at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Douglas performed in the Ceremonial Band, Concert Band, and the Route 66 Brass Band. He was also the public affairs officer, where he designed videos, graphics, captured photos of major events, and managed the band's social media and marketing strategies. In 2022, he organized a major recruiting tour for the Route 66 Rock Band where they visited 12 different universities across five states performing exciting music of a wide range of styles and to share with musicians what the career of an Army musician is like.
Prior to joining the military, he was the Director of Bands at Ottawa-Glandorf Local Schools in Ottawa, Ohio. He instructed bands in grades 5 through 12, teaching concert band, jazz band, marching band, pep band, and chamber ensembles. In 2019, the Titan Marching Band made its first appearance in six years to the OMEA State Marching Band Finals, where they received an "Excellent" rating.
Before teaching at Ottawa-Glandorf, he was the Director of Bands at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky and instructed the Marching Bulldog Band, pep band, some music courses and private lessons. Prior to his appointment at Union, he was the Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at Defiance College where he also conducted the Black Swamp Symphony Orchestra, assisted with the band and choral program, taught courses in music, and instructed private lessons. He was also the assistant band director at Kalida High School during the marching band season in 2014. Douglas was also the principal tubist for the Urbana Pops Orchestra of Urbana, Illinois for 10 years during his time as a collegiate professor and public school teacher.
Douglas completed a Bachelors in Music Education at the Dana School of Music and studied with Mr. John Turk. He completed his Masters in Music Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a student of Mr. Mark Moore, and served as his teaching assistant for two years. Douglas was working toward a doctorate of musical arts at Indiana University and while he was there, served as the Associate Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium. He studied with Mr. Daniel Perantoni and with Mr. Anthony Kniffen while at IU.
He has performed with several orchestras like the Bloomington Pops, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Urbana Pops, and the Youngstown Symphony. Chamber music is also a favorite, playing with groups like the Missouri Brass, Olympic Brass, Tower Brass Quintet, Quad Cities Symphony Brass Quintet, and the University of Illinois and Indiana University Graduate Brass Quintets. Also, groups like Mr. Taylor and his Dirty Dixie Band, a duo with his wife and percussionist Bridget Olenik, the Maria Merkelo Polka Trio, Grammy Award winning group Dan Zanes and Friends, and a few rock bands and brass bands. He has appeared as a soloist with university ensembles, high school ensembles, community bands, music festivals, and for community events.
Currently living in Newport News, Virginia, Douglas teaches private lessons and freelances in the area. When not with his tuba, he is often writing and arranging music, cooking, home brewing, exploring photography, and dabbles in video and graphic design. He enjoys exploring breweries, restaurants, and hiking with his wife, Bridget Olenik. And, most importantly, they have three kitties; Keiko, Bella, and Kahi.
He has performed with several orchestras like the Bloomington Pops, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Urbana Pops, and the Youngstown Symphony. Chamber music is also a favorite, playing with groups like the Missouri Brass, Olympic Brass, Tower Brass Quintet, Quad Cities Symphony Brass Quintet, and the University of Illinois and Indiana University Graduate Brass Quintets. Also, groups like Mr. Taylor and his Dirty Dixie Band, a duo with his wife and percussionist Bridget Olenik, the Maria Merkelo Polka Trio, Grammy Award winning group Dan Zanes and Friends, and a few rock bands and brass bands. He has appeared as a soloist with university ensembles, high school ensembles, community bands, music festivals, and for community events.
Currently living in Newport News, Virginia, Douglas teaches private lessons and freelances in the area. When not with his tuba, he is often writing and arranging music, cooking, home brewing, exploring photography, and dabbles in video and graphic design. He enjoys exploring breweries, restaurants, and hiking with his wife, Bridget Olenik. And, most importantly, they have three kitties; Keiko, Bella, and Kahi.
