Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Skillern.
Michael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My parents are Michael Floyd Skillern and my late mother, Cecilia Denise Joyner. Growing up, I lived with my Dad in Columbus, GA. My family has always been a very important sense of pride and strength for me, especially my Grandmother Mildred Skillern. I always loved music as a child and began to study percussion formally by joining the sixth-grade band. Some of my early memorable musical experiences were appearing in a Local Access Cable musical, serving as Principal Percussionist in the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus for multiple years, competing in many local/state competitions, and holding leadership positions in my school’s band and orchestra.
During my time in high school playing in the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus and traveling to audition and compete really opened my eyes to the potential of a professional classical music career. At this time, I truly became passionate about music and music teaching. I remember telling myself that as long as I could teach or play music professionally at any level, I would be happy. Towards the end of my high school tenure, as I prepared for college, I became increasingly serious about music. Music really provided some much-needed stability at a troubling time in my life. I tried to fill up all of my time with music, practices, rehearsals, lessons, concerts, anything. What exactly I did was not important. I ultimately accepted a scholarship to attend Georgia State University to study Instrumental Music Education and Percussion Performance.
At Georgia State, I grew a lot musically. I performed in a lot of different settings and was able to piece together what it would mean to have a classical music career. At that time, it meant having a lot of jobs. I was working as a University Assistant, managing a recital hall, playing with groups like the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, teaching lessons, working with other universities like Agnes Scott, teaching percussion in schools, and teaching marching band all while practicing three hours a day and attending classes. As an undergraduate student, I was also able to work, perform, and study percussion at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (MI), Interlochen Arts Camp (MI), and win a fellowship at the Brevard Music Center (NC). These experiences were eye-opening for me. So far, everything I had done centered around Georgia. This was the first time that me and my talents had been judged and recognized on a national level. I graduated from GSU in 2015 with no idea as to what to do other than the thought, “I want to teach and play music”.
So, I attended the University of South Florida for a Master of Music in Percussion Performance and Instrumental Conducting. Since the graduate school does not carry the same course load, I was able to really expand as a professional musician. During this time I recorded three albums with the McCormick Percussion Group; made my concerto debut soloing in front of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay; booked tours with Aretha Franklin, Kristin Chenoweth, Styx, and the Three Tenors; performed several solo percussion engagements; taught at three schools and consistently performed orchestral engagements all while attending school. Once I finished at USF in 2017, I returned to Atlanta, where I taught band, taught general music, performed orchestral gigs and performed as a solo percussionist until 2018.
In 2018 I moved to China and was able to recreate a lot of the success I had in the US overseas. I am currently Director of Bands and Middle School Music at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School. In addition to working there, I have continued to make solo appearances throughout China, the United States, and Southeast Asia. My recent 2020 tour to China and Singapore was cancelled due to COVID-19. I also serve as a substitute for the Xian Symphony Orchestra, help run the Xian Concert Hall Youth Percussion Ensemble aimed at spreading percussion among the youth of Xi’an, China, and lead a new music group called The Xi’an Players. During the COVID-19 outbreak, my wife Kim and I came to Thailand to work remotely. We are here waiting until we can return to China.
Has it been a smooth road?
This road has definitely not been smooth. But it seemed like all of the times that were rough were made better by music. One of the biggest challenges for me so far has been the death of my Mother. After she died in 2017, I had a really hard time coping with her death, mixed with typical early-20s behavior. I can say that I suffered a lot in 2017. With the help of my family and eventually my wife, I was able to keep moving forward. I think my Mom’s death hurt my feelings the most because she was the one I really talked about things. We used to say that she was my therapist.
Moving to China also posed a big challenge for personally and professionally. My fiance at the time was still in the US when I moved. I moved over to China with almost no money, and I was starting over from scratch all while I couldn’t even speak the language.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in all things music primarily performing and teaching. But when it comes to jobs in the music industry, I’ve been a recording artist, performer, teacher, adjudicator, arranger, and probably some other things too. For me, I started by trying to be the best percussionist I could. Gradually, that spread out to include so much.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think our city is perfect for anyone that just want’s to do something. For some who freelances, getting gigs is always the hardest thing. But in Atlanta, you can really get out and make your own shows. You do not have to wait for anyone to cosign you, or support you, or put you on in any way. In Atlanta, you can take your idea and make it happen. Then, once you make it in Atlanta chances are you can branch out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michaelskillern.com
- Instagram: @michaelstradition
Image Credit:
Xi’an Liangjiatan International School
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
