Michael L. Robinson received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Mars Hill College and taught for 30 years in the North Carolina Public Schools. He recently retired from Asheville High School, where his bands performed in New York, Florida, the Bahamas, and twice for the North Carolina Music Educators Conference. Under his baton, the Asheville High School Band received Superior ratings at the North Carolina Band Festival in the grade VI level of music.

Mike received the “Award of Excellence” from the North Carolina Band Masters Association in 1984 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2006. He also received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in 1986 and the Outstanding Band Alumni Award from Mars Hill College in 1988. In 1990 and 1994, he was selected as the Asheville City School System’s “Teacher of the Year.” He served as Chairman of the Western NC Band Directors Association in 1984-85, Contest Chairman for WNCBDA 1982-93, North Carolina State Contest Chairman 1986-88, President of the NC Bandmasters Association 1988-90, State Chairman of Phi Beta Mu in 1993 and State Chairman of the National Band Association 1991-94. Mike belongs to numerous professional and honorary organizations including, NCMEA, MENC, NCBA, WNCBA, PHI MU ALPHA, PHI BETA MU, ASBDA, AND NBA. In 2000 at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Mike received the Bandworld Legion of Honor, and the Sudler Order of Merit administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

Mike is now the Director of Bands at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, NC where he is mentoring future musicians and educators. He has been his church’s choir director for many years and is also an adjudicator and clinician throughout the Southeastern United States.