A native Iowan, Michael is a vibrant and accessible musician. He is in constant demand as a performer and clinician, both domestically and abroad. He has fused his varied skill set and diverse musical background into a unique perspective that he shares successfully in the classroom and on the stage. Michael stays active as an improviser and writer, working with eclectic mixes of personalities and instrumentation. His enthused commitment to original music and inventive approaches to performance have made him a recognizable voice on the creative music scene. His primary teachers include vocal jazz guru Phil Mattson, avant-garde artist John Rapson, and contemporary saxophonist Matt Sintchak. Halfway through his second decade of teaching at ISU, he teaches Improvisation, leads the ISU Saxophone Studio, and is the Director of Jazz Studies. Find out more at www.creativemusicstuff.com.