Mike showed a passion for music from an early age, starting violin lessons at 8 years old and bagpipe lessons at age 10. Through middle and high school, he competed and placed at regional Scottish Games. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Music from SUNY Adirondack and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Since then, he has performed locally for weddings and other events, and taught private lessons for violin and bagpipes, among other instruments. In 2022, he became the Pipe Major of the Galloway Gaelic Pipes and Drums