Mike Hale, trumpet. Over a
period of six years, Mike appeared as the lead trumpet, soloist,
percussionist and composer with the renowned jazz fusion nonet
Matrix, on the RCA, Warner Brothers, Pablo, and Wounded Bird
record labels. Mike received his B.M.E. degree from Lawrence
University, and his M.M. from the University of Northern Colorado.
As a music educator of 16 years, he has inspired countless
musicians at the elementary, secondary, university, and
professional level with his artistry. Mike is currently an
Associate Director of Bands at Appleton North and West High
Schools in Appleton, WI, where he helps coordinate the jazz
ensemble and combo programs.
Leslie Michelic, oboe,
began teaching at the Lawrence Academy of Music in 1987, where she
has been graduating students into successful musical pursuits at
prestigious colleges and beyond. Mrs. Michelic is also a Lecturer
of Music at Lawrence University, teaching oboe for the Woodwind
Techniques Course for Music Education Majors.
Mrs. Michelic received her education through UW
– Milwaukee and briefly at Lawrence University. Her principal oboe
teachers include Guy Dutra-Silviera, Paul Kramer, Howard Niblock,
Ray Still, and Martin Woltman. She also studied with Daniel
Stolper and participated in the Master Classes of Richard Killmer,
Allan Vogel and Richard Woodhams.
Mrs. Michelic has been an active musician in
the area, currently playing second oboe and English horn with the
Fox Valley Symphony. Previously she has served as principal oboist
with the Green Bay Symphony and the Fox Valley Symphony, and as
English horn/second oboist with Oshkosh Symphony. Mrs. Michelic
has collaborated in chamber music concerts with the faculty of
Lawrence University and the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. She
has performed in numerous “off-Broadway” productions at the
Weidner Center for the Performing Arts in Green Bay. Mrs. Michelic
has also been guest oboist with many local churches and choral
ensembles. In her early career she served as Utility Oboe and
English Horn with the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs. Michelic has a passion to help young
people explore the beautiful tone of the oboe and develop their
own unique “musical voice” as they advance their skills.