Misha Doumnov
Violin & Songwriting

Lesson Types:
Songwriting

Violin - all levels

Dr. Mikhail Dumnov (Misha) is a composer, performer, and teacher based in Melbourne. His main three areas of work as an artist have been as composer for contemporary orchestras and ensembles, film composition, and touring as a band frontman. Misha has been a music teacher since 2003 and has taught Violin, composition, songwriting, music production/arranging and music technology/synthesis.

Misha was initially trained in music performance and composition in the former USSR, where he grew up.

He completed a BMusic Composition at VCA in 2007. Having had his first work for symphony orchestra  performed at the ABC Centre in 2007, he went on to create film soundtracks for Australian Film Commission  in 2009, and the same year was nominated for a Green Room award in Theatre Music Composition. Misha moved to Edinburgh in 2011, and in parallel to creating orchestral works for Masters study and teaching also toured Europe as a singer/violinist with his originals band BOBOK.

The band completed two European tours and several UK tours. Original songs combining lyrics in different languages and integrated fusion of styles from Balkans/Klazmer/Ethiofunk/Russian and Rock traditions.

Misha attained two major scholarships to undertake PhD study with prof. Peter Nelson, as a result of groundbreaking work and theory during his Masters research, completed with High Distinction.

Dr. Dumnov continued to teach at the University of Edinburgh during PhD research. During this time he also authored an improvisation-for-composers pedagogy method, and continues to implement this in his teaching. Part of his Mini-Ballet "Bird Dances" was performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 2018.

Misha returned to Melbourne in September 2019. His recent film soundtracks appeared at Vancouver (VIFF), and most recent composition commissions were from the City of Melbourne, performed at La Mama in 2021 (sold out), and Orquestra Marga Marga, also in conjunction with City of Melbourne. The latest orchestral work “La Maga”, featured in Puente Festival 2022 Valparaiso, Chile, was subsequently taken on a mini tour by Orquestra Marga Marga as part of their repertoire. Misha is preparing to work for this orchestra on a repeat commission as part of a series of three works. He continues to perform actively and teach in Melbourne.