Band Director

Michael Burkhead, a native of Louisville, KY, is a graduate of the University of Louisville, holding a Bachelor's in Music Educations and a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance. He currently serves as the Band Director at Fairdale High School and the Music Director at Okolona Presbyterian Church. Michael's teachers include some well-known names in the clarinet world, including; Dallas Tidwell, Marilyn Nije, and Tim Zavadil.

Micheal currently performs in the Louisville area with many great past and present musicians and organizations, including; The Louisville Philharmonia, The Thompson Street Opera Company, Centerstage, Pandora Productions, and ACC (Acting Against Cancer), as well as a founding member of the group Trio D'anches in Louisville. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Indiana University Southeast as a part of the Music Department.

A supporter of new music, Michael has premiered several pieces by student composers at the University of Louisville during his graduate studies, and was recently a member of a consortium of clarinetists commissioning Live Oak for Solo Bb Clarinet by composer Tyler Kline.

Michael currently lives in Louisville, Ky with his wife Brittany, their daughter Hillary, and a slew of "four legged children".