Biography

Artistic Leadership & Current Appointments

Dr. Demetrius Robinson is an experienced choral conductor, music educator, and artistic leader who serves as Founder and Executive Director of the Canorous Institute of Musical Excellence (CIME), where he leads the Canorous Youth Chorale and Canorous Adult Choir in their inaugural concert season. He also serves as Director of Worship and Music at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville, Texas, and as President of Canorous Music Publishing, and he is Founder of ClefCert, an ear-first prep platform for the TExES Music EC-12 exam (clefcert.com). In 2026 he conducted the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Franz Schubert’s Magnificat (April 18) and Peter Wilhousky’s Battle Hymn of the Republic (July 4). Demetrius previously held appointments as Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and Music Education Coordinator at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Interim Director of Choral Activities at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, and as Director of Choirs at The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee. A native of Mobile, Alabama, and the son of an AME Church pastor and Baptist deacon, Dr. Robinson’s work is grounded in a lifelong commitment to musical excellence, sacred tradition, and student-centered artistry.

Education & Professional Training

Demetrius began formal music studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in choral and instrumental music and a Master’s degree in choral conducting, respectively. Eager to begin teaching, Demetrius served as the Director of Choirs at Hattiesburg High School and N.R. Burger Middle School while completing his master’s degree. He later received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education from the University of Memphis. Additional studies resulting in an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership were completed at William Carey University.

Performance Experience & Musicianship

A versatile music educator, conductor, composer, organist, tubist, and lyric baritone, Demetrius has performed with the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Symphony, and the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra.

Professional Affiliations

His professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education, American Eurhythmics Society, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Music Publishers Association of the United States, Association of Independent Music Publishers, Society of Composers Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Music Sinfonia, National Collegiate Choral Organization, Texas Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the American Choral Directors Association.

Ventures

Canorous Music Publishing — Dr. Robinson founded Canorous Music Publishing, formerly Demetrius Robinson Music Publishing, and serves as its President. The house publishes choral and instrumental repertoire rooted in artistry, accessibility, and cultural depth, including his own works and collections of spirituals. Visit canorousmusic.com →

ClefCert — Dr. Robinson is Founder of ClefCert, an ear-first prep platform for the TExES Music EC-12 exam. It helps music educators prepare for certification through listening-based practice. Visit clefcert.com →

Artistic Philosophy & Commitment

Dr. Robinson’s work centers on culturally grounded choral repertoire, sacred tradition, and the preparation of music educators. In 2022 he was inducted into the Future Music Faculty Fellowship from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has presented at the American Choral Directors Association National Conference (2025), the Louisiana ACDA State Conference, and the Mississippi Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference. He has served as clinician and adjudicator for honor choirs, festivals, and Pre-UIL evaluations in Texas and Tennessee. His choral works, including Let It Shine, I Thank Thee, When I Rise Up, and Lift Up Your Heads, are published by Canorous Music.