Biography

Michael is a musician whose musical influences are steeped in the old-time traditions of the Canadian Maritime Provinces and most notably of Nova Scotia Canada where he grew up. His first hands-on experience with the fiddle happened when he was 22 years old. With the guidance of Keith Ross, Michael began learning how to play fiddle in the “Down East” tradition.  He was instantly hooked on the beauty and sound of the instrument and continues this love affair some 30 years later.   

Soon after starting, Michael became a charter member of the Kings Fiddle Club based in Kentville, Nova Scotia where his exposure to traditional tunes was greatly expanded. Wanting to enhance his technical abilities with the bow, he turned to classical technique studying with Gina Gallagher for 2-3 years and even played with the Acadia University Orchestra as a community volunteer for several years.  After the tragic and untimely death of Tara Lynn Touesnard, a beautiful young lady and talented fiddler from River Bourgeois, Cape Breton who was studying music and violin performance at Acadia University, her former students turned to Michael to try to fill the void and to continue teaching them.  Michael began teaching himself how to play fiddle with the Scottish and Irish styles of the Cape Breton fiddlers.  With his friends Val Blanchard and Denise Aspinall, created a Celtic trio band called “Feet in the Oven” and performed for house parties and jams for 3-4 years until Michael followed another love (Mary) to East Tennessee where he married and resides near Knoxville.  

Once relocated, it didn’t take Michael long to meet fiddler, Betsy Hooper who invited him to join in a weekly Irish jam session at Patrick Sullivan’s Restaurant in Knoxville’s Old City.  Shortly after that, Betsy organized a monthly club meeting for many musicians fond of Scottish music. The Knoxville Scottish Music Club was born and he was a regular contributor for many years. From this club, six friends formed a Scottish band known as “The Good Thymes Ceilidh Band” which continues to perform at many venues in the area including the Maryville Scottish Highland Games, Music of the Mountains at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, WDVX Tennessee Shines Radio show, and many of the local Robert Burns’ Dinner celebrations to name a few. Michael is also a regular fixture at Boyd’s Jig and Reel Pub where he plays with a twice monthly jam session hosted by the band (on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings).   

In August of 2014, Michael left his computer support job to pursue another longtime dream. He was accepted into the Fine Arts program at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville. During these studies, he learned a great deal about music theory and resumed his study of classical violin with Robyn James.  While attending Pellissippi State, he performed with the Studio Ensemble and was proud to perform with Hardin Valley Thunder, the school's Bluegrass Ensemble.  In April of 2016, Michael received his Associate of Fine Arts degree in Music and Violin (Summa Cum Laude). He now works in Knoxville as a Sales Associate for Rush’s Music.   

Most recently, Michael attended a training session in Charlotte North Carolina with Mark O’Connor and received his certification for books 1 and 2 of the O’Connor String Method. He also completed the online course: Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation by Northwestern University on Coursera. Certificate earned on April 2, 2017

In 2019, Michael decided to return to school to earn a degree in Business Administration.   After completing registration as an online student at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), studies resumed in August.  In February of 2022, he completed his studies and in May, received his diploma.  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  Management Information Systems.  Summa Cum Laude.