Having played violin and sung for most of his life, Mike joined the MSU Philharmonic and Capital Green when he attended Michigan State University. During his junior year, he formed and began to coach a talented a cappella group, the MSU Fifths. After winning the award for "Most Outstanding Vocalist" at the Western Michigan Jazz Fest., he was accepted into Cape Cod's elite and beloved Hyannis Sound following graduation. From the Cape, he was then recruited to join The Cat's Pajamas. This famed a cappella ensemble has been featured on FOX's Next Great American Band, NBC's The Sing-Off and America's Got Talent, and Oprah. While singing with "the Cat's," Mike performed 400+ concerts and the group won the "Best Group in Branson" award out of over 120 shows in both 2012 and 2013. (also nominated for the "Best Male Vocalist" award) He also wrote custom arrangements for and was a featured soloist in the infamous "Andy William's Christmas Show."