Hi, I’m Dorothy Harwood, a lifelong musician and educator who loves creating music for stage, screen, and community performance. Over the years I’ve conducted choirs, directed ensembles, and built Harwood Studios into a place where students of all ages discover their voices and grow through performance, collaboration, and imagination. I compose for games, film, and performing artists, sharing stories through melody, rhythm, and texture. My scores are full of emotional pictures similar to the stlye of John Williams and other classical contemporary composers. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me swimming, hiking, reading, or traveling—always eager to explore new collaborations and communities.

Dorothy Harwood

Hi, I’m Dorothy Harwood, a lifelong musician and educator who loves creating music for stage, screen, and community performance. Over the years I’ve conducted choirs, directed ensembles, and built Harwood Studios into a place where students of all ages discover their voices and grow through performance, collaboration, and imagination. I compose for games, film, and performing artists, sharing stories through melody, rhythm, and texture. My scores are full of emotional pictures similar to the stlye of John Williams and other classical contemporary composers. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me swimming, hiking, reading, or traveling—always eager to explore new collaborations and communities.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Dorothy Harwood, a lifelong musician and educator who loves creating music for stage, screen, and community performance. Over the years I’ve conducted choirs, directed ensembles, and built Harwood Studios into a place where students of all ages discover their voices and grow through performance, collaboration, and imagination.

I compose for games, film, and performing artists, sharing stories through melody, rhythm, and texture.

My scores are full of emotional pictures similar to the stlye of John Williams and other classical contemporary composers. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me swimming, hiking, reading, or traveling—always eager to explore new collaborations and communities.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Private Voice & Piano Instructor at Harwood Studios
January 1, 2007 - November 19, 2025
Founder of Harwood Studios in Lynnwood, WA; teaches voice and piano to all ages, with student recitals and goal-based motivation.
Solo Pianist / Fundraiser Performer at Camp Paterson
December 31, 2006 - December 31, 2006
A Suite Piano Performance; recital fund-raiser; repertoire includes Grieg, Albeniz, Mozart, PDQ Bach; raised funds for scholarship.
Substitute Teacher at Bellevue School District
August 31, 2003 - August 31, 2003
Substitute teaching K-12; certified in Music Education K-12 and English 4-12.
Vocal Music Teacher at Hot Springs County School District
December 31, 1982 - December 31, 1982
5th-12th grade vocal music; recruitment, sight-reading, programming, festivals, curriculum development; Jazz/Swing Choir and Chamber Choir ratings.
Director of Music at Wallingford United Methodist Church
December 31, 1988 - December 31, 1988
Directed all musical activities in worship; performed major works and built choral sound.
Accompanist/Director at Church of the Resurrection Episcopal Church
December 31, 1995 - December 31, 1995
Restarted choir, founded a bell choir, wrote service music; led music in worship.
Director at Magnolia Congregational Church
December 31, 1993 - December 31, 1993
All aspects of choral music in worship; retreats, instrumental ensembles, major works and workshops.
Choral Director at Cascadian Chorale
December 31, 1992 - December 31, 1992
Prestigious chorus; prepared and performed Faure's Requiem, Schubert Mass in G, Haydn Lord Nelson Mass; restructured bylaws for professionalism.
Guest Conductor at Orchestra Seattle & Seattle Chamber Singers
July 14, 1985 - November 19, 2025
Recruited and conducted choir and orchestra in concert; Bach cantatas selections.
Co-Director at University of Arizona Honor Choir & Recital Choir
December 31, 1984 - December 31, 1984
Prepared programs and concerts with undergraduate honors and graduate recital choir.
Director at Seattle Pacific Chapel Choir
December 31, 1979 - December 31, 1979
Directed choral music for bi-weekly chapel services; sacred repertoire.
Guest Conductor at Seattle Pro-Musica Chorus
December 31, 1979 - December 31, 1979
Contributed as guest conductor for community chorus performances.
Founder/Choral Director at City Singers
December 31, 1995 - December 31, 1995
Founded a professional vocal ensemble; directed production, fundraising, and operations.
Director at Bellevue Community College Cascadian Chorale
December 31, 1992 - December 31, 1992
Preparation and performances with ~60-member chorus; Faure Requiem, etc.; restructured bylaws.
Solo Pianist / Fundraiser at Camp Paterson
August 31, 2006 - August 31, 2006
Summer piano program; performed classical repertoire; fundraised for scholarships.
Substitute Teacher at Bellevue School District
August 31, 2003 - August 31, 2003
Substitute teaching in K-12; certified in Music Education K-12 and English 4-12.
Founder/Owner at Acoustical Magic
July 1, 2000 - July 1, 2000
High-end audio components store; managed all aspects of small business operation; sold in 2000.
Real Estate Sales Associate at Home Realty Everett South
December 31, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Commercial & Residential real estate; sales and marketing.
Composer, Writer, Director, and Producer
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025
Composed, wrote the script, directed and produced a 35-minute original children's musical. Created and wrote lesson plans for a one-week summer camp for 20 children (ages 7-14) to produce the musical outdoors, in collaboration with Edmonds Parks & Recreation. Managed production tasks including sets, volunteers, promotion, props, costumes, and stage direction.
Composer, Scriptwriter, Director, and Producer at Mighty Hikers Musical (Edmonds Parks & Recreation)
December 31, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Composed and produced an original 35-minute children's musical. Wrote the script and directed the performance. Created and wrote lesson plans for a one-week Summer Camp for 20 children aged 7-14 to produce the musical at an outdoor theater in collaboration with Edmonds Parks & Recreation. Managed all production tasks including sets, volunteers, promotion, props, costumes, and stage direction. The project involved coordinating with local partners, securing venues, and delivering performances that engaged diverse audiences. Copyright registration 2024 Pau4-236-665.
Composer at Storming Decker
December 31, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Wrote and delivered 10 minutes of music for the mobile indie adventure game CometFall. Developed adaptive interactive music and crafted loop-able tracks for the game. Provided wave files and accompanying materials for delivery; referenced on SoundCloud.
Composer / Sound Designer at Yaga Enterprises
December 31, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Composer for Android game Sprinkles Cupcake Adventure; wrote 8 orchestral songs and 8 piano arrangements. Works contributed to the game's sonic identity.
Composer at Mercy’s Story Game
December 31, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Wrote several songs based on the Mercy Thomson Books including 'Mercy’s Walking Stick' and 'Wolf Run'.
Composer, Scriptwriter, Director, Producer at Mighty Hikers Musical
December 31, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Composed and produced a 35-minute original children's musical; wrote script; directed and produced; created lesson plans for a one-week Summer Camp; managed production tasks including sets, volunteers, promotion, props, costumes, and stage direction for outdoor theater in collaboration with Edmonds Parks & Recreation.
Composer/Sound Designer at Yaga Enterprises
December 31, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Wrote 8 orchestra songs and 8 piano arrangements for Sprinkles Cupcake Adventure (Android game); contributed as sound designer.
Composer/Sound Designer at Mighty Hikers Musical (Project)
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025
Composed, wrote the script, directed, and produced an original 35-minute children's musical. Created lesson plans for a one-week Summer Camp for 20 children (ages 7-14) to produce the musical at an outdoor theater in collaboration with Edmonds Parks & Recreation. Managed production tasks including sets, volunteers, promotion, props, costumes, and stage direction.
Composer at Storming Decker
January 1, 2025 - November 20, 2025
Wrote and delivered 10 minutes of adaptive interactive music and loop-able tracks for the mobile indie adventure game CometFall; collaborated with developer Alexandre David of Storming Decker; waveform files published on SoundCloud.
Composer/Sound Designer at Yaga Enterprises
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Composer/Sound Designer for Android game Sprinkles Cupcake Adventure; wrote 8 orchestral songs and 8 piano arrangements.
Composer at Mercy Thomson Books
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Wrote several songs based on the Mercy Thomson books, including “Mercy’s Walking Stick” and “Wolf Run” for Mercy’s Story Game.
Composer, Scriptwriter, Director, and Producer at Edmonds Parks & Recreation (Mighty Hikers project)
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Composed, wrote the script, directed and produced an original 35-minute children's musical. Created and wrote lesson plans for a one-week Summer Camp for 20 children aged 7–14 to produce the musical at an outdoor theater in collaboration with Edmonds Parks & Recreation. Managed all aspects of production tasks including sets, enlisting volunteers, promotion, props, costumes, and stage direction.
Composer, Scriptwriter, Director, and Producer at Mighty Hikers
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Composed and produced an original 35-minute children's musical; wrote the script and directed the project. Created lesson plans for a one-week Summer Camp for 20 children (ages 7-14) to produce the musical outdoors in collaboration with Edmonds Parks & Recreation. Managed sets, volunteers, promotion, props, costumes, and stage direction.
Composer, Writer, Director, and Producer at Mighty Hikers
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Composed, wrote script, directed and produced an original 35-minute children’s musical. Created and wrote lesson plans for a one-week Summer Camp for 20 children aged 7-14 to produce the musical at an outdoor theater in collaboration with Edmonds Parks & Recreation. Managed all production tasks such as sets, enlisting volunteers, promotion, props, costumes, and stage direction.
Owner at Harwood Studios
January 1, 2007 - Present
Harwood Studios provides voice and piano lessons and performance opportunities; responsibilities include all aspects of running a small business; teaching since 1970.
Accompanist – Choir Director at Communities and Churches
January 1, 1978 - January 1, 2007
Career centered on being an accompanist and choir director for numerous churches and community choirs; last church position was at St. Hilda St. Patrick Episcopal Church, Edmonds, WA. Duties included weekly music selection, accompaniment of services, and directing vocal ensembles and accompanying musical productions.
Director/Conductor at City Singers
January 1, 1992 - January 1, 1995
Founded and directed City Singers, a professional choir; produced choral concerts, art and music collaborations, and public performances.
Music Teacher & Chorale Director at Bellevue Community College
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1992
Taught music at Bellevue Community College and directed the Bellevue Cascadian Chorale.
Church Musician / Accompanist at St. Hilda St. Patrick Episcopal Church
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2007
Accompanist and choir director; part of extensive church conducting experience, including production planning and community outreach.

Education

Master of Music (Vocal Performance) at University of Arizona
January 11, 2030 - November 19, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music at Seattle Pacific University
January 11, 2030 - November 19, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature/Drama at University of Washington
January 11, 2030 - November 19, 2025
Master of Music at University of Arizona
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music at Seattle Pacific University
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Master of Music at University of Arizona
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music (Magna Cum Laude) at Seattle Pacific University
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Master of Music at University of Arizona
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music at Seattle Pacific University
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Bachelor of Arts at University of Washington
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1976
Bachelor of Arts at Seattle Pacific University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1980
Master of Music at University of Arizona
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1984

Qualifications

Music Education Certification K-12
January 11, 2030 - November 19, 2025
English Education Certification 4-12
January 11, 2030 - November 19, 2025
ASCAP Membership
January 1, 2016 - November 19, 2025
Master of Music in Composition
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Copyright Registration # Pau4-236-665
January 1, 2024 - November 20, 2025
Copyright Registration # PAu3-921-704
January 1, 2016 - November 20, 2025
Copyright Registration # PAu3-921-812
January 1, 2016 - November 20, 2025
K-12 Certification
January 11, 2030 - November 20, 2025
Master of Music in Composition
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
Master of Music in Composition
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Master of Music in Composition
January 11, 2030 - December 10, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music
January 11, 2030 - December 10, 2025
Best Original Score
January 11, 2030 - December 10, 2025
Official Selection – Short Film/Game Title
January 11, 2030 - December 10, 2025
Master of Music in Composition
January 11, 2030 - December 28, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Music
January 11, 2030 - December 28, 2025
ASCAP Member
January 1, 2016 - January 22, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Gaming, Software & Internet