[1] He studied composition at the music department of York University in Toronto with David Mott, James Tenney and Phil Werren.

After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music in 1983, he studied philosophy[2] at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, Massachusetts while living at San Damiano Friary in Holyoke, Massachusetts and then started his novitiate for the Canadian custody of the Conventual Franciscans of Immaculate Conception Province at St. Francis Friary in Staten Island, NY.

[3] His first place win, after two previous attempts, in the 1988 American Walnut Valley Festival[3] earned him a contract with Duke Street Records, Toronto, where he published his next two albums, 1989's Bearing Straight and 1990's Don Ross.

The liner notes from "Bearing Straight" contain a written tribute from the late musician Michael Hedges, including the often quoted, "I play the guitar because it lets me dream aloud."

[4] The label's roster has included Andy McKee, Nicholas Barron, Antoine Dufour, The Reign of Kindo, and Brooke Miller.

He also has a quartet that performs his more jazz and funk based material, Called Don Ross Louder Than Usual, featuring Andrew Craig on keyboards, Marito Marques on drums and Jordan O'Connor on bass.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Don studied for a Master of Arts degree online in Orchestration through the University of Chichester and ThinkSpace Education, graduating in 2021.

The album features collaborations with Bruce Cockburn, Brooke Miller, Michael Manring, The Atlantic String Machine, Sean Hall and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ross names Bruce Cockburn, John Renbourn, Pierre Bensusan, Keith Jarrett, Egberto Gismonti and Pat Metheny as his main sources of inspiration.

Ross's advanced technique and his sure feeling for rhythm combine with uncommon ideas to make his style instantly recognizable.