Charles Ligus
Charles Ligus is an American pianist, composer, arranger and music director. Originally from Cleveland, OH, he began his musical training at age 6 with his first piano teacher. Throughout his Elementary and Middle School years, he regularly participated in theatre productions both through his school and community theatre groups.
In 4th grade, he took up percussion in his middle school band and continued to perform with various school and community organizations as a percussionist.
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During the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic, Charles initially took up composition as a pastime where it gradually developed into a lifelong passion and doorway to collaboration.
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In 2022, Charles began his Bachelor studies in Instrumental Music Education at Bowling Green State University. He is expected to graduate in Spring of 2026.
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Today, Charles regularly works as a music director for various theatre organizations around his community of Toledo, OH. He has leant his expertise in both instrumental and vocal music to productions such as Next To Normal, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. In February 2026, he served as music director for the Northwest Ohio premiere of The Magician's Elephant.
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In addition to teaching other composers' works, Charles is a regular composer in his own right, having written for film, theatre and podcasts. In November 2025, the premiere recording of his first original musical, Like You (with book and lyrics by Tyler Milicic) was released on streaming services.
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Charles has also leant his talents to various colleagues at BGSU, including regularly working as a collaborative pianist for students and creating arrangements for Musical Theatre students and professors. in 2024, he placed first in the Undergraduate Division of the Marjorie Conrad Art Song Competition alongside soprano Laney Mitchell.
