Mike Kamuf

Mike Kamuf holds Bachelor of Music degrees in both Jazz Performance and Music Education from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University (Youngstown, Ohio) and a Master of Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University (Fairfax, VA). Mike presently has compositions published by the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press, Alfred Publications, the FJH Music Company, and the Neil A. Kjos Music Company. Mike’s compositions and arrangements have been performed by numerous jazz artists and ensembles including the Woody Herman and Glenn Miller Orchestras, James Moody, Eddie Daniels, Terell Stafford, Bill Watrous, and Nick Brignola to name a few.

Mike has performed with the Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, and has recorded as a member of the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra. He served as assistant principal trumpet of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra under Maestro David Effron from 1990-92. Currently, Mike freelances as a commercial trumpet player in the Baltimore and Washington DC areas.

Mike has taught instrumental music for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) since the fall of 1992. He has been in his current teaching position since 1995 as the Director of Bands and Orchestras and Music Department Chairperson at John T. Baker Middle School (Damascus, MD). Under his direction, the groups consistently receive high ratings at music festivals and have commissioned four works for young concert bands. In 2007, Mike received the Superintendent’s Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award for his efforts in involving students in the commissioning process. He directed the MCPS Senior Honors Jazz Band for six seasons and has served as a jazz faculty member at both Youngstown State University and Montgomery College (Rockville, MD). Mike has served as Treasurer and Secretary of the Maryland Unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). He has been a member of the faculty of the Maryland Summer Jazz Consortium since 1994.