Kirk MacDonald started to play the saxophone at age 10, studying with Bill Loeb in Sydney, Nova Scotia, from 1969 to 1971 and later entering a High School Music Program under Terry Hill studying saxophones, clarinet, flute, music theory and composition. Kirk has worked with many leading jazz musicians including Claude Ranger, Dave Young, Sam Noto, Sonny Greenwich, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Henderson, Harold Mabern, Walter Bishop Jr., Lorne Lofsky, Bob Mover, Pat LaBarbera, Phil Woods, John Taylor, and Ron McClure. Kirk has appeared on over 25 jazz recordings. In addition, Kirk has recorded over 30 of his own compositions on C.D.

1973 to 1975 :: studied classical saxophone under Bruce MacKinley, in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
1975 :: the summer of 1975 attended Berklee College in Boston, Massachusetts.
1975 to 1977 :: studied privately with Don Palmer on saxophones, flute and improvisation.
1977 :: attended Humber College in Toronto.
1978 :: during college tenure, studied privately with Pat LaBarbera.
1981 :: studied with George Coleman in New York City, during the summer of 1981.
1982 :: awarded a "B" Grant from the Canada Council to further studies in saxophone and improvisation with Lee Konitz in New York City.
1992 :: awarded a "B" Grant from the Canada Council to study composition with pianist/composer Garry Dial
1998 :: awarded Canada Council Grant for composition to create new works for septet and quintet.

As well as teaching privately in Toronto and Ottawa, the following lists involvement in teaching at clinics and universities.

Instructor of Jazz Saxophone

1987 to 1991 :: Ottawa University, Ottawa, Ontario
1989 to 1992 :: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
1996 to 1998 :: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
1988 to 1989 :: McGill University, Montreal, Quebec

Instructor of Saxophone, Improvisation, Ensembles & Ear Training

1993 to present :: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Saint Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Grant McEwan College, Edmonton, Alberta
York University, Toronto, Ontario
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
National Music Camp, Orillia, Ontario :: 1993 to present
MC (Interprovincial Music Camp), Perry Sound, Ontario :: 1999
Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology, Toronto, Ontario
Seoul Jazz Academy, Seoul, Korea
Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario
Creative Music School, Halifax, Nova Scotia :: 1997, 1998
Saskatchewan Band Camp, Regina, Saskatchewan :: 1996, 1997
Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Capilano College, Vancouver, British Columbia

Saint Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia January 1997 and January 1998

Kirk has performed at many Jazz Festivals and club/concerts throughout Canada, the United States, Australia, Italy, Spain and Korea. His work has been documented on many national radio broadcasts, including broadcasts with Bob Mover, Pat LaBarbera, Sam Noto, Lorne Lofsky, Kevin Dean, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler and the Maritime Jazz Orchestra, as well as his own groups.

The Jazz Report Magazine :: Profile of Kirk MacDonald ~ summer edition, 1995
The Globe and Mail :: Profile of Kirk MacDonald ~ August 1991
The Kirk MacDonald Songbook :: J & W Music
Kirk MacDonald :: A Canadian Jazz Leader  MediaPipe (online feature article)