BIOGRAPHY

Michael Fleischmann is an educator, conductor, performer, and father of two. He was raised in Orlando, Florida before moving to Southern California in 1994. As a high school student at San Clemente High School, Michael fell in love with music. He owes much of his love of music and conducting to his band director, Andy Magaña. After high school, Michael was fortunate to be accepted at the University of Southern California Flora L. Thornton as a French horn performance major. While at USC, he studied French horn with James Decker, Richard Todd, and Kristy Morrell. He studied music education under Karl Swearingen and Patrice Madura. Michael earned a Master of Music degree in wind conducting from California State University, Fullerton where he studied with Mitch Fennell. Dr. Fleischmann continued his education at Teachers College, Columbia University where he earned a Doctor of Education - College Teaching, where he completed research under the supervision of Lori Custodero and Kelly Parkes.

FIGHT ON!!!

As an undergraduate at USC, Michael joined The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe - The Spirit of Troy under the direction of Arthur C. Bartner. As a member of the prestigious Trojan Marching Band (AKA "Hollywood's Band"), he performed all over Southern California for a variety of audiences, celebrities, and televised events. While in the Trojan Marching Band, Michael also participated in a variety of athletic bands, including support bands for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, track and field, baseball, and soccer. Michael was also an arranging student of Tony Fox, the assistant director, and lead arranger for the Trojan Marching Band.

LIFE ON THE ROAD

In 2001, Fleischmann became a member of the Tony award-winning Broadway production of “Blast!” As a cast member with “Blast!,” he performed at Disney’s EPCOT theme park, Disney’s California Adventure, the U.S. National Tour, and Broadway production in New York City. At the conclusion of his engagement with "Blast!" in 2003, Michael joined the ranks of music educators in Southern California. As a high school band director, Dr. Fleischmann’s ensembles have been honored to perform at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. His concert ensembles continually engage audiences with a mixture of standard and groundbreaking repertoire.

LIFE IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

In 2013, Michael moved to the Coachella Valley, where he currently resides. Since moving to the Coachella Valley, Michael has been the band director at La Quinta High School and Desert Ridge Academy. He also has enjoyed his position as a part-time faculty member at College of the Desert since 2014. Fleischmann has taught many courses for College of the Desert including History of Rock and Roll, Fundamentals of Music, and Applied lessons in French horn and trumpet. His primary role at College of the Desert is has been as the director of large ensembles - notably the COD Symphonic Band, and Jazz Ensemble. In 2019, the COD Symphonic Band was privileged to have won an audition to perform at New York City's world renowned Carnegie Hall. Michael also enjoys performing with his local symphony, the Coachella Valley Symphony.

FAMILY & COMMUNITY

Michael has enjoyed giving back to the community of music education as a clinician at local schools, or for conference presentations. His publication and research interests include French horn pedagogy and the applications of creativity (specifically composition, improvisation, and arranging) in large ensemble band settings. Dr. Fleischmann has presented on multiple occasions at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) annual conference as well as the California School Music Educators Conference (CASMEC). He has been published in The Instrumentalist, and is currently formulating future publications for peer-reviewed journals in the field of music education. Additionally, he is a founding member of the Research Riff (@TheResearcRiff), a music education "micro journal" and Apple Podcast. Michael currently resides in Palm Desert, CA with his children Kennedy and Cole, and his dog, Percy.