Michael discovered his love for the bass guitar around age 7 due in part to nefarious influences of babysitters as well as radio. Showing promise and enthusiasm, his parents enrolled him in the now defunct: Yamaha Rock School program in Tampa, FL at age 9 where he learned multiple instruments. Michael and some classmates were advanced enough to form a band, and were able to perform throughout the South. Michael’s father purchased a conversion van, and toured the boys around as they were not old enough to drive. Their performances spanned a decade and included appearances with Rancid, 7 Seconds, Blink-182, Will Lee (David Letterman Show), Matt Sorum (Guns N Roses), Paul Reed Smith, and many others.
Michael was also involved in his high school show choir band and led the 15 piece band in learning well over 300 Top 40 songs of various genres. They preformed locally and regionally. His experience and skill set made him the ideal point man for his high school’s yearly Battle of the Bands, and he was later voted Most Talented Senior.
Needing a change of pace, Michael moved to Seattle, WA where he delved in to the local music scene; at the time the city was an oasis for music. Soon thereafter Michael’s new band had the privilege of touring nationally and internationally with many talented acts such as: Andrew WK, Pretty Girls Make Graves, The Blood Brothers, Atreyu, and The Fall of Troy; his music was appearing on MTV, college radio circuits, and in Alternative Press (AP) magazine.
It was while watching Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists) track and mix his band’s album that Michael realized his real interest was engineering. He began crudely recording his band practices for later edits on a personal computer while taking engineering and physics classes at a local college, and building circuits for stomp boxes, even a Theremin. Michael combed the nation for a school that would enable him to continue his studies and pursue recording. It wasn’t long before he found Expression College. He packed up his belongings, said his goodbye to Seattle. Michael is firm in his belief in the total immersion ethic; he is routinely the first student on campus and the last one to leave.
While attending Expression, Michael has made strides as the Chairman for the student Audio Engineering Society, earned multiple TV credits such as Associate Producer, Sound Engineer, and Musical Composition and Intern for the Emmy Nominated (Best Youth Programming) Show: The Nightshift. He has had the privilege of recording numerous bands, both major label and independent. He credits these accomplishments to hard work and attending Expression.
