BIO:

Born & raised in New York, Mike enrolled at the State University of New York at Buffalo, studying composition with cellist Jonathan Golove, and baritone saxophone with Dave Schiavone. While at UB, Mike’s compositional skills and understanding of music theory soared even further, resulting in a massive body of original works that were performed and recorded by various groups, including the UB Jazz Ensemble, the UB Jazz Octet, and the UB Symphony Orchestra. Through the generous support from the UB Concert Band director Jon Nelson, Mike’s music traveled out of the limits of Buffalo, and into the realm of Fredonia, where director Raymond Stewart premiered some of his concert band compositions with much success.

Mike gradated with two degrees: Bachelor of Arts (composition) and a Bachelor of Music (baritone sax performance).

After UB, Mike started graduate work at New York University. There, he studied jazz composition with pianist/composer Jim Mcneely of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and also briefly with pianist/composer Rich Shemaria (NYU Jazz Orchestra director, keyboardist for Combo Nuvo) working on his Master’s degree in Jazz Studies (with a focus in composition). Mike had the opportunity to work on various projects whilst at NYU, including a transcription project of a Randy Brecker composition for Jim Mcneely, a transcription of a Teo Macero composition for Lee Konitz, and music engraving for Sue Mingus of Charles Mingus’ "Epitaph", under the tutelage of Gunther Schuller.

Mike also immersed himself within the realm of film music, forming EMMPH with his wife Eleni Maureas, whose objective is to compose original music for all genres of film & television. Their skills together have taken shape immensely thanks to the professional criticisms of Michael Patterson, an LA-based film & TV composer for 20+ years. A DVD with samples of their work is available upon request.

Around this time, Mike & Eleni co-founded a 10-piece band called EMMPH!, and is primarily responsible for the band’s repertoire of original music. The group completed a successful debut at Smalls Jazz Club, the Blue Cafe in Long Beach, and at Versai in Los Angeles, to name a few places.

Graduating with his Master’s degree, Mike has since been working as a freelance composer/arranger and engraver, most notably for clients such as Randy Brecker, John Lee (director of the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars), Mike Stern, Jamey Aebersold, the Song of Angels Flute Orchestra, as well as for college ensembles such as the Santa Monica College Wind Ensemble, UCI Wind Ensemble, and Canyon Crest Music Academy.

For four years, Mike ran his own middle school jazz group at the Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH), which met every Friday after school. They were called the “Friday Nite Players”, and all arrangements were tailor-made for the group’s unique instrumentation. Currently, Mike works as a specialist and arranger for the Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet music department, which is run by Eleni.

In November 2015, Mike took on the roles of conductor and arranger with the newly formed LMU Community Band, making its debut with a successful December 2015 concert on the LMU campus, continuing its run with its Spring 2016 performance, followed by the inaugural Westchester Arts and Music Block Party as hosted by the Emerson Gardens, and concluding its tenure back on the LMU campus with a stellar Winter 2016 performance.

Mike can be reached by:

email: mike.hyziak@yahoo.com

phone: (917) 753-2323