Michael Manson is a talented, school educated, and experienced musician, and music educator. His training is inclusive of intensive work in the Classic, Jazz, Gospel and R&B genres of music. Also, inclusive of his Christian philosophy and training, giving is an crucial part of his lifestyle. In keeping with this, music as a gift is meant that is meant to serve. Therefore Michael feels that the gift, that was given to him, is to be given back to serve others and specifically his community.

 

He has studied and earned a Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Chicago State University and a Master of Music in Music Education with emphasis on Orchestra Conducting from The Biennen School of Music at Northwestern University. He continues to sharpen his skills in the field of music education technology at the Vandercook college of Music. Michael has been able to play and perform his music literally all over the world. Performances in front of thousands of people in Northern and Southern Asia, all parts of Europe, Northern and Southern Africa, South America, New Zealand, Mexico, and Caribbean islands. Why is this important? The students that our undeserved communities do have dreams. They dream of give this gift of music back to people all over the world. Some even have proper motives regarding performing. Dreams of stardom are often fleeing, but a lot of students just dream of sharing their gifts with others. These students should hear this from someone who has lived that dream, and accomplished that dream. In addition, they have to be shown the path to achieving that dream and goal. 

 

The road on the way to accomplishing these dreams is filled with many detours and exits. The study of music can be difficult and most performers would say that practicing long hours could be perceived as being boring and fatiguing.  Unless one sees the “light at the end of the tunnel”, it is easy to fall into discouragement. This why Michael documents all musical journeys and musical successes. He has performed and/or recorded with the best names in music, including Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, David Sanborn, Joe Sample, Roberta Flack, The Winans, Jessy Dixon, Tramaine Hawkins, George Duke, James Cleveland, Brian Culbertson, Steve Cole, Rick Braun, Norman Brown and Diane Reeves, just to name a few. In addition to performing with great artist Michael has produced 3 Billboard top 10 jazz cd projects that feature most of the afore mentioned artists on his own compositions. His fourth cd “Thumpin’ Live” which is a live CD/DVD project is due out in January 2014 of this year.  Those who are being mentored have to be able to see and experience what is possible, from someone who has “been where they are going”. The Grammy winner and jazz/R&B keyboardist George Duke now is Michael’s most important mentor. And has been for the last 13 years. Michael says he looks to George as an example of what excellence looks like. Not only excellence, but also self-expression. That is essentially what each of us is looking to do. It just so happens to be that music is their chosen vehicle in which to do it.

 

For our students, and those that we mentor, to have them learn express themselves with excellence, is our goal.  After teaching in the traditional school systems for over 16 years, (in Evanston District 65, Northbrook District 28 and Chicago Public Schools) Michael felt an overwhelming need to establish an environment where even the most socio-economically or educationally disadvantaged students could come and find a nurturing but challenging place to explore themselves through the art and discipline of music. This environment, away from the constraints of a traditional school building, is also a haven for those who are gifted in music and need a challenging place that has “no limits” on how much that a student can explore their gifts and talents.