Nonprofit Executive & Musician

Part I: Nonprofit Executive and Arts Advocate

Markus Gottschlich is a dedicated nonprofit executive and arts advocate with a passion for cultivating educational programs that broaden access to arts opportunities for diverse audiences. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Warehouse Arts District Association in St. Petersburg, Florida, Markus plays a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant artistic community. He supports and promotes local artists and initiatives that enrich the district’s cultural tapestry, creating culturally unique programming that engages and inspires the community.

Markus's career in the nonprofit sector is marked by significant contributions to the arts. As the Artistic Director of the Miami Beach Jazz Festival until 2016, he elevated the festival into a premier platform for local, national, and international artists, while also implementing year-round youth programming and concert series that enhanced the city's cultural landscape. His leadership extended to revitalizing the New Mexico Jazz Workshop as Executive Director, where he breathed new life into the organization's festivals, concerts, and educational initiatives, making a lasting impact on the jazz community.

In Vienna, Austria, Markus was instrumental in the founding of the Music Business Department at the Vienna Music Institute, where he served as Department Chair and Senior Lecturer. His work in Vienna included teaching Jazz Piano, Classical Composition, Branding & Advertising, and Computer-Supported Composition, further demonstrating his commitment to arts education and his ability to bridge the gap between classical and contemporary music education.

Through his various roles, Markus has consistently demonstrated his ability to create and lead arts programming that is both culturally significant and widely accessible, ensuring that the transformative power of the arts reaches a broad audience.

Part II: Composer, Steinway Artist, and Educator

Markus Gottschlich's musical journey began in Vienna, Austria, where his early immersion in music, particularly at the historic Pasqualati House—once home to Beethoven—shaped his unique artistic voice. His sound, described as a blend of "old world" and "new world" elements, has captivated audiences around the globe.

Recognized as "a lyrical, high-energy, and risk-taking pianist" by Albuquerque Magazine, Markus has been lauded for his adventurous and passionate performances. His compositions, praised for their elegance and melodic richness by The Standard, Austria, reflect his prowess as both a composer and performer. Miami Magazine has identified Markus as a pianist on the verge of becoming “one of the country's leading jazz performers.”

Markus's work has been featured in numerous prestigious publications, including Downbeat Magazine, the Albuquerque Journal, and German World, cementing his reputation as a prominent figure in the jazz scene. His performances have graced renowned jazz festivals such as the Vienna Jazz Festival, Jarasum Jazz Festival, and Saulkrasti Jazz Festival, leaving a lasting impression on the global jazz community.

In addition to his performance career, Markus is a respected educator and mentor. His academic journey, which included intensive study under South Florida pianist Mike Gerber and education at Admiral Farragut Academy, Concordia College-NY, and Western Connecticut State University, has informed his teaching philosophy. Markus has curated concert series in Miami, collaborating with esteemed venues such as the Design District, Fisher Island, and the Faena, while continuing to nurture the next generation of musicians through his work as an instructor and mentor.

Markus has released three albums, collaborating with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Federico Britos and Jose Javier Freire. His 2020 release, “Found Sounds,” featured guest artists like the legendary trumpeter Bobby Shew. His music has also been featured in the Egyptian blockbuster “Ras El Sana” and the music documentary “This is Us.”

Markus Gottschlich's multifaceted career as a nonprofit executive, musician, composer, Steinway Artist, and educator showcases his unwavering dedication to the arts and his ability to inspire and leave a lasting impact on the arts community.