Mikayla Black is a proud graduate from the University of Utah, where she completed a Masters of Music in Conducting, studying with Dr. Jason Missal. While at the U, she conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the Clarinet Choir, which recently performed under her baton in Dublin, Ireland, at the 2024 ICA ClarinetFest. 

Mikayla holds an undergraduate degree in music education from the esteemed Central Washington University music program, where she studied clarinet performance with Joseph Brooks, and conducting with Lewis Norfleet, Paul Bain, and Dr. T. Andre Feagin.

In addition to being the Director of Bands here at Olympus, Mikayla is the Artistic Director and Conductor for the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra. Mikayla also works as a performer and conductor for the Utah Clarinet Choir, the Utah Trombone Collective, and many other ensembles throughout the Salt Lake Valley, notably performing with the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, and performing as a featured clarinet soloist in the Wasatch Winds Concerto Night in 2022.

She recently presented at the 2026 Utah Music Educators Association Conference and at the 2026 International Percy Grainger Symposium. Her research for the Percy Grainger Symposium will be published in the next quarterly issue of the Grainger Journal. 

Before coming to Olympus, she taught at Ellensburg High School, Cle Elem Roslyn High School, Walter Strom Middle School, Bennion Jr. High, and assisted with competitive marching band at Westlake High School, and has worked as a piano accompanist and private teacher of piano, flute, clarinet, and saxophone for many years.