Adam McDonald honored with distinguished alumni award from Iowa State University Department of Music and Theatre
Adam McDonald received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Iowa State University’s Department of Music and Theatre at an honors and awards ceremony on Oct. 24 in Ames, Iowa.
A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, McDonald graduated from Iowa State University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in piano performance. After graduating from The Boston Conservatory with a master’s degree in classical piano, he moved to New York City where his work as an audition pianist, class accompanist and vocal coach helped clients land jobs on Broadway and national tours.
McDonald has served as music director and production supervisor for the national tour of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” He later served as music director for “Far From Canterbury,” which won best overall musical at the NY Fringe Festival.
For the last eight years, McDonald has been on the road with “Wicked,” serving as music director of the national tour. A firm believer in music’s role in healing and human experience, he organizes outreach trips to connect the show’s cast with local nursing homes. McDonald has also music directed, participated in or arranged music for eight events raising $275,000 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University is a world-class learning and research community. As Iowa State’s most academically diverse college, LAS educates students to become global citizens, providing rigorous academic programs in the sciences, humanities and social sciences within a supportive personalized learning environment. For more information, visit LAS.iastate.edu.
