1993 Bachelor of Music - Jazz Bass Performance - University of North Texas • Recipient of full UNT Scholarship
2015 Master of Music Performance- Towson University – Towson, MD
2017 Associate Professor- Berklee College of Music – Boston, MA
BASs instruction
Beyond The Basics
If you want to become a professional bass player and you are ready to take yourself to the next level of ability by improving your ears, technique, improvisational skill and communication, then you should seriously consider attending Berklee College of Music. Mike sees teaching as a skill, art and responsibility and looks forward to the opportunity to help you find the path to becoming the player you envision yourself being. For post graduate professional and pre-professional bassists, live lessons are available, but if you're far away, Skype or Zoom lessons are available as a very convenient and effective alternative.
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Contact Mike today for rates and schedule for private post graduate study.
WORKSHOPs
Masterclasses
Clinics
Mike spent years touring with the likes of David Sanborn, Chick Corea, Al DiMeola and has many recording credits with musicians such as Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Locke, Bill Bruford and Jeff Watts. He has conducted many workshops and remains in demand because of his quick wit and knowledge. Choose from; Improvisation; Jazz Theory; Bass Mechanics; or ask about having Mike design a workshop for your group.
email mike@mikepopejazz today for schedules and for pricing.
Remote (Zoom) access workshops also available.
check out a video of a clinic at EMBA Escuela de Música here!
UNIVERSITY
The next generation...
As part of his graduate degree, Mike had the honor of directing ensembles, leading sections and teaching classes about jazz improvisation and theory at the university level. He has been a guest teacher at a number of universities and music academies and dreams of a position sharing his love of music with a new generation of musicians. His faculty position at Berklee, Boston has been and continues to be the most rewarding experience and an opportunity to have a hand in the future of jazz bass.
Advanced
Theory/harmony
Play with the Pros
Mike's undergraduate degree from University of North Texas where he was a member of the 1 o'clock band for three years, and his Master Degree in Music Performance have more than prepared him to provide private or group theory classes. His deep understanding of theory, especially as it applies to jazz harmony and composition, makes him one of the best teachers of this genre.
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Contact mike@mikepopejazz today to schedule a lesson or workshop.
Jen Conference
The next generation...
Mike's strong desire to pass on his knowledge finds its most fruitful outlet at the annual Jazz Educators Network (JEN) Conference. He has played concerts there with some of his oldest and dearest friends (Stefan Karlsson and Jim White shown at right) and made clinic appearances as well. Each year brings a new opportunity to pass on the message to young people that Jazz is not only ALIVE, but that it remains a unique part of all of our heritage and a never-ending, joyful music that people can come back to again and again to grow as musicians.
