Guitar
Notable roles/performance experience:
- Active session musician, performing on many tracks with top Atlanta producers
- Active performer of regular acoustic solo shows
- Performed as “Lindsey Buckingham” in a Fleetwood Mac tribute band that played many venues in the southeast
- Member of the former band Star Collector, who received praise from many music publications and news outlets, and who shared performance bills with Fountains of Wayne, Tin Machine (David Bowie’s band), 3 Doors Down, and Dead Eye Dick, among others
- An original song written by Mike was used in an independent film
Teaching experience:
- 25 plus years of music teaching experience for all ages
Mike is a music performer and teacher with decades of experience in both. He teaches guitar and bass, as well as voice and drums for beginners. Mike teaches across all styles of music, from jazz, blues, rock, folk, fingerstyle, country, and bluegrass to alternative, pop, and metal–and even TV, movie, and video game themes.
“I want to get to know my students, so they are comfortable speaking to me about any practice/ performance concerns or weaknesses,” Mike shares. “I want to be very receptive to their style, ability, and musical preferences.”
When starting with a new student, Mike quickly assesses where the student is and determines a proper pathway to improvement, which includes ear training and performance opportunities. He strives to create a fun, positive, and creative teaching environment, where personal creativity is strongly encouraged. He works to make sure his students know their voice is very important, and that what they play or sing is very important to him.
“I want to create an environment so that when I show up to teach, they are excited about what they practiced the previous week and are wholeheartedly looking forward to the present lesson,” he continues.
Mike shares that his favorite styles of music change almost daily. “I’m a Dead Head. The Beatles are the best band to ever exist. I love crooner jazz, like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra… I love classic funk and R&B (especially for bass!), such as the early Commodores, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, James Brown, The Meters, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield… I could go on and on!”
In addition to teaching and performing music, Mike also enjoys guitar repair. He doesn’t just fix instruments, though, he also “collects” them, “sometimes to the dismay of my wife!” he laughs. He loves to work in his yard, grill out, and spend time hanging out with his wife. He’s also a self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd. “I own several figures and vehicle play sets from the original 1977 movie!” he enthuses.
One interesting fact about Mike is that he is left-handed, but he plays guitar right-handed!