Yep, that's me in the maroon, Mike Walsh! I have a bucket list ... and am not afraid to use it! I've jumped out of a plane at 16,000 feet, rafted down the Colorado river on level-4 rapids, and walked the streets of downtown LA, NYC, ATL, and Chicago... during rush hour! I've always been a calculated-risk type of guy. No risk, no reward. Optimist - glass half-full rather than half-empty. Honestly, not sure how jumping out of a completely good airplane qualifies as a good decision, it was just on my "bucket list" - but that's another discussion...
I picked up guitar at the age of 6... I've been in wind bands, jazz quartets, rock bands, funk bands, country bands, and performed in front of thousands of people on French Horn, on Guitar, and on Bass. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Georgia. As a Band Conductor I've had the privilege of performing on some of the greatest concert stages in the world including Carnegie Hall (on 3 separate occasions). I was also selected by the national publication School Band and Orchestra in their December 2010 issue as one of “50 Directors Who make a Difference.” I've taught, rehearsed, performed, conducted and lived-through more halftime shows and stage performances than most folks attend in a lifetime. And I've had the privilege of working beside and building friendships with some the best musicians in the world. Needless to say, MUSIC has been in my blood most of my life!
Turn of events.... We've been told that you "can't teach an old dog new tricks." For most people it feels risky and uncomfortable to switch careers. A few years back I decided I wanted to learn about digital lighting to move myself out of my comfort-zone (we all have these moments, right?). I got involved with the production team at my very large church. In addition to having access to the most advanced audio and lighting technology available, it also got me around some of the best working musicians, audio producers and audio/lighting techs in Atlanta - true "shakers and movers!" In late 2017, with the help of my friend and former AHS Band Director Ira Jenkins along with our Principal Dr. Shannon Kersey, Alpharetta HS was able to secure a sizable grant to create the most advanced Music Technology Lab in the Fulton County school system. So after teaching high school Band for 36 years and being "THE Band Director," I decided to learn something completely new and jumped into the world of audio recording and production! With much help from my many friends in "the industry" along with a forward-thinking administration at our school, in 2018 we launched the first Audio Production course in FCS Schools - at Alpharetta HS! I developed curriculum for AHS and and am currently writing curriculum for Fulton County Schools. I am also an AVID-Certified Pro Tools Artist Instructor. Today my network has grown to include audio mix engineers, producers, movie and audio executives, and touring musicians. And our AUS students get to benefit from those relationships. I am immersed in the music industry. And I'm really excited to teach Music Technology / Audio Production at AHS!
So... what have I learned after nearly 40 years of teaching? Old dogs CAN learn new tricks! Nothing ventured, NOTHING gained. Relationships matter. Be a life-long learner. AND - the best way to get experience (at anything) is to DO IT - GO for it and learn on the go!
I picked up guitar at the age of 6... I've been in wind bands, jazz quartets, rock bands, funk bands, country bands, and performed in front of thousands of people on French Horn, on Guitar, and on Bass. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Georgia. As a Band Conductor I've had the privilege of performing on some of the greatest concert stages in the world including Carnegie Hall (on 3 separate occasions). I was also selected by the national publication School Band and Orchestra in their December 2010 issue as one of “50 Directors Who make a Difference.” I've taught, rehearsed, performed, conducted and lived-through more halftime shows and stage performances than most folks attend in a lifetime. And I've had the privilege of working beside and building friendships with some the best musicians in the world. Needless to say, MUSIC has been in my blood most of my life!
Turn of events.... We've been told that you "can't teach an old dog new tricks." For most people it feels risky and uncomfortable to switch careers. A few years back I decided I wanted to learn about digital lighting to move myself out of my comfort-zone (we all have these moments, right?). I got involved with the production team at my very large church. In addition to having access to the most advanced audio and lighting technology available, it also got me around some of the best working musicians, audio producers and audio/lighting techs in Atlanta - true "shakers and movers!" In late 2017, with the help of my friend and former AHS Band Director Ira Jenkins along with our Principal Dr. Shannon Kersey, Alpharetta HS was able to secure a sizable grant to create the most advanced Music Technology Lab in the Fulton County school system. So after teaching high school Band for 36 years and being "THE Band Director," I decided to learn something completely new and jumped into the world of audio recording and production! With much help from my many friends in "the industry" along with a forward-thinking administration at our school, in 2018 we launched the first Audio Production course in FCS Schools - at Alpharetta HS! I developed curriculum for AHS and and am currently writing curriculum for Fulton County Schools. I am also an AVID-Certified Pro Tools Artist Instructor. Today my network has grown to include audio mix engineers, producers, movie and audio executives, and touring musicians. And our AUS students get to benefit from those relationships. I am immersed in the music industry. And I'm really excited to teach Music Technology / Audio Production at AHS!
So... what have I learned after nearly 40 years of teaching? Old dogs CAN learn new tricks! Nothing ventured, NOTHING gained. Relationships matter. Be a life-long learner. AND - the best way to get experience (at anything) is to DO IT - GO for it and learn on the go!
