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Michael Seil
Michael Seil
Director of Choral Activities
Noah Fettig
Noah Fettig
Associate Choral Director
Dr. Jinhua Zhang
Dr. Jinhua Zhang
Collaborative Pianist
Mike Seil
Mike Seil
Director of Choral Activities
Michael Seil is the director of choral music at Legacy High School. This fall, Mr. Seil is the vocal director for Legacy High School’s production of the musical Phantom of the Opera. Previous teaching experiences also include serving as a director for the Central Dakota Children’s Choir (2001-2024), Bismarck High School (2003-2013) and Simle Middle School in Bismarck (1996-2004). As a member of ACDA, Mr. Seil serves as North Dakota’s Repertoire and Standards Chair for Vocal Jazz. Mr. Seil also serves as the NDMEA All-State Vocal Jazz Honor Choir chairperson.
In September of 2024, mr. Seil was awarded the October Teacher Spotlight Award. In February of 2012, Mr. Seil was selected as the NDACDA “Choral Director of the Year.” In May of 2011, Mr. Seil was selected as the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year.” In 2007, Mr. Seil was selected as the Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club “Teacher of the Year.” Mr. Seil was also awarded the 2002 KXMB Golden Apple Award. Away from school, he is an active clinician, soloist, composer, pianist and arranger. Mr. Seil served as the director of the 2019 & 2023 Nova Choir & 2017 Cantabile Choir for the Minot State University Northwest Festival of Music and the 2012 & 2024 NDACDA Junior High/Middle School Mixed Honor Choir.
In January of 2026, Mr. Seil released his debut solo album, "Days Like These." This release can be streamed on all major streaming platforms and is also accessible at www.mikeseilmusic.com.
Mr. Seil is a 1995 graduate of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, studying under Dr. James Rodde. He is married to Sheri (Schwindt) Seil, a DDS administrator for North Dakota. They have a son (Harrison) and a daughter (Addison).
Phone Number: (701) 323-4850 ext. 6319
E-mail: mike_seil@bismarckschools.org
Noah Fettig
Noah Fettig
Associate Choral Director
Noah Fettig serves as the Associate Choral Director at Legacy High School. As a graduate of Bismarck Public Schools, Mr. Fettig is ecstatic to begin his first year at Legacy High, second year in BPS. Previously, Fettig served as the Director of Choral Activities at Wachter Middle School, leading all 6th grade-8th grade choirs and the WMS Show Choir in multiple performances throughout the year and across Bismarck/Mandan.
Prior to WMS, Fettig studied full-time at North Dakota State University, employed as a graduate teaching assistant in the Choral Conducting program. Fettig studied conducting and choral literature with both Dr. Michael Weber and Dr. Dwight Jilek, alongside further topics taught by Dr. Daniel Lee and Dr. Charlotte Moe. Fettig graduated in 2026 with his Master's of Music in Choral Conducting, and is expected to complete his Master's of Music in Music Education in 2027, also through NDSU.
Fettig studied Music Education and Choral Conducting at University of Mary under the direction of Dr. Thomas Porter and Dr. Rebecca Raber, receving his Bachelor of Science in Music Education. During his time, Fettig arranged a dozen vocal jazz works for several groups around Bismarck, including the University of Mary Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Bismarck High's New Generation Jazz, and Legacy High's Gold Standard Jazz. To conclude his bachelor's degree, Fettig student taught at Legacy High School under the direction of Michael Seil, Jessica Sester, and Rachel Schaffner.
Dr. Jinhua Zhang
Dr. Jinhua Zhang
Collaborative Pianist
Dr. Jinhua Zhang, from Guangzhou City, China, currently serves as the Collaborative Pianist at Legacy High School. He received a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from South China Normal University. Before coming to the US, he served as a piano accompanist and assistant conductor for several choirs in China, including accompanying the Guangzhou Aiyue Choir at the Singapore International Choral Festival in August 2017.
He earned his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Kent State University and his Doctor of Music Arts in Choral Conducting from North Dakota State University. He also earned his Master of Music in Music Theory Pedagogy from NDSU. In addition to serving as a graduate conductor at NDSU, Dr. Zhang served as a collaborative pianist for choirs and instrumentalists and taught aural skills classes during his time at NDSU.
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