Mr. Michalec was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He attended Lebanon Valley College for his undergraduate education, where he earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. While in university, his primary performance mediums were voice and trumpet. For graduate school, he attended Messiah University where he earned the Master of Music degree in Conducting. 

Mr. Michalec spent the first decade of his career in Anne Arundel County, MD where he taught both middle and high school. He has been with Wake County Public Schools since 2022. He is currently in his 14th year as a music director. 

Mr. Michalec is passionate about creating vibrant musical communities within the schools he serves. He believes that all students deserve access to a quality music education. One of his favorite things about being a vocal music director is seeing students from across the school unifying for the common goal of making music and sharing their art with the community.