Dr Mikhail Dumnov ((Misha Doumnov)
Dr. Mikhail Dumnov (Misha) is a composer, performer, and teacher based in Melbourne. He was initially trained in music performance and composition in a specialty music school in the former USSR, where he grew up. Upon leaving Russia he was mentored by Professor Nalden, attaining performance diploma in Violin aged 17. Mikhail started working as a composer in film, theatre, and contemporary art music in 2001 whilst living in Melbourne, Australia, and enrolled in a highly competitive Composition Undergraduate degree at the then Victorian College of the Arts, in 2004. Even before he did so, in 2003 Misha had violin in a variety of styles and contexts, from classical to various Eastern folk traditions as well as various pop and dance genres. His interest and exploration of improvisation and various music traditions, including film music, oriental music, rap and electronica, have contributed to his innovative approach as a composer, as well as teaching versatility. Having had his first work for symphony orchestra performed at the ABC centre in Southbank in 2007, Misha started to be sought after by film and theatre makers, forming a number of collaborative relationships. He went on to create work for Australian Film Commission in 2009, and the same year was nominated for a green Room award in Theatre composition for the play “Three Dog Night”.
Even during this early phase, Dr. Dumnov was already developing innovative pedagogy ideas, not only in regard to Violin teaching, but also in the areas of composition and using improvisation as a compositional tool. In 2010, Misha was invited by composer Nigel Osborne to participate in Peace Camp – a week-long workshop with children (and adults) with special needs in Bosnia. The workshop entailed aiding the children, many of whom had no English, and some of whom had trouble speaking altogether, in creating a piece of music theatre. The experience paid off, as Osborne then invited Misha to the University of Edinburgh to undertake a Masters in Composition.
Mikhail moved to Edinburgh in 2011, and in parallel to creating orchestral works for Masters surdy and continuing to teach also toured Europe and Australia as a band frontman - he has been known in the UK for songwriting and vocal/violin work with his band BOBOK, as well as an improviser-violinist. He attained two major scholarships to undertake PhD study with prof. Peter Nelson, as a result of groundbreaking work and theory during his Masters research, which was completed with high Distinction.
Dr. Dumnov continued to teach, acted as tutor at the University of Edinburgh during PhD research, as well as forming his own improvisation school. A small part of his Mini-Ballet "Bird Dances", entitled "A Flurry of Calls" was performed by Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 2018. Mikhail frequently performs in free-improv events across Europe. and Australia and continues to teach Composition, Violin and Improvisation in Melbourne, having returned there in September 2019. He is the author of a new improvisation pedagogy method and continues practice-based research in this field. Current (2020) work includes film soundtracks and new composition commissions from Southern Cross Orchestra and Orquestra Marga Marga(Chile), as well as a commission from the City of Melbourne for LaMama Theatre. Dr. Dumnov will be appearing (online) as guest lecturer at the University of Kansas in February 2021.
Recent Reviews
It gives me pleasure to recommend Dr Dumnov as a teacher of music. I’ve known Dr Dumnov for two years, while he has provided violin tuition for my two daughters (now 10 and 12 years of age). It is a sadness to lose him from Edinburgh, because he is an exceptional teacher: he is unfailingly kind, while at the same time thoughtfully analytical about the process of making music.
- Dr Richard OosterhoffLecturer in Early Modern History
The University of Edinburgh
Misha is a known figure in the musical scene in Edinburgh... Misha is sensitive to the student's goal and is able to analyse the student's skill with precision. He is proficient at creating holistic study programs that are honed to the student's specific needs. He has demonstrated advanced understanding of music rooted in his qualifications and rich background. He is familiar with both classical and contemporary music schools.
- Artem Kobeletskyy
The effect was transformative. Misha's teaching motivated me to practice regularly. After a couple of years I was even able to participate in public gigs, which I had never done before... Misha introduced me to the idea of musicianship and how to exercise it in interpreting, rehearsing and performing. What sets Misha apart is his mental flexibility and apt use of metaphor to teach physical and musical processes that are initially hard to grasp.
- Chris JarvisUniversity teacher
Language and Communication Studies
Jyväskylä University
English 
Chinese