Donald Markowitz is a New Orleans–based composer, producer, filmmaker, and creative director known for his bold originality and genre-spanning work. He is best known for co-writing the Academy Award-winning song “I’ve Had The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing, a cultural touchstone that remains iconic across generations.

As the founder of Mid City Sound Studios, Donald leads music production and visual storytelling projects that celebrate the creative pulse of New Orleans. His latest film, Street Beat – Drumming Below Sea Level, is a powerful 53-minute documentary spotlighting the city’s legendary drummers and the deep rhythms that drive its musical soul.

Donald’s credits span film scores, studio albums, original compositions, and multimedia art. He’s collaborated with legendary artists and rising talent alike, always bringing a sharp sense of style, rhythm, and emotional resonance. He has also written and produced for television and worked on major label projects, blending pop, soul, jazz, and funk with cinematic flair.

A designer and branding strategist as well, Donald brings a visual sensibility to his work, creating logos, websites, and media campaigns with distinctive energy. Whether he’s composing, directing, or sketching, his work is rooted in storytelling, cultural texture, and a passion for the art of expression.