Michael Simmons
Michael began playing cello in 1974 in fifth grade in the Wichita Falls school system. He played in the Barwise Junior High Orchestra, the Wichita Falls All-City Junior High Honor Orchestra, the RiderHigh School Orchestra, and the Wichita Falls All-City Youth Orchestra. Michael then received a cello scholarship to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene where he studied cello under Professor John Burton and played in the University Orchestra, the Abilene Philharmonic, the Abilene Opera Association Orchestra, and a string quartet. Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1985 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Church Music. Then in 1990, he earned a Master of Music degree in Music Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
For the past 18 years, Michael has directed music in several churches in North Texas, while still maintaining involvement in orchestra. He played in the Pioneer Dr. Baptist Church Orchestra in Abilene, the Travis Avenue Baptist Church Orchestra in Fort Worth, the Prestonwood Baptist Church Orchestra in Dallas, and the Singing Men of Texas Orchestra. He also directed the Youth Orchestra at Travis Avenue and the Orchestra at First Baptist Church of Allen.
Michael now teaches private strings in the Frisco Middle Schools, teaches classes with the Elementary Strings program of Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra, and is delighted to be involved in introducing children to the joys of musical expression through the SOTA program.
