Grant Michel has direct experience with the young musicians for whom he writes, having directed both middle school and high school bands. He is currently in his 13th year as director of bands at Riverside High School in Williamston, North Carolina. As founder and principal composer/arranger of GPMusic & Drill from 2003 to 2014, he created custom compositions, arrangements, and marching drill for high school and college bands across the U.S. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Mars Hill University (studying conducting with Daniel Schmidt), and a Masters Degree in Composition from East Carolina University (studying composition with Ed Jacobs and Pulitzer finalist David Rakowski and conducting with Scott Carter).
Grant is a frequent guest clinician at various honor bands throughout North Carolina. He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, the National Association for Music Education, and Broadcast Music Inc.
Grant takes great delight in previewing his original works with both his and his wifes bands. One of his favorite things as both a composer and a director is taking students through the complete process of creating music, from composition to performance.