Ever since his high school days, Michael Tobian has been playing and teaching music professionally. Mike studied music performance as a Jazz Studies music major at Brigham Young University. There, he played lead tenor saxophone with Synthesis, BYU's premier big band. With Synthesis, he toured Europe and performed at some of the worlds largest jazz festivals. While a student, he received many national awards and honors including hansom scholarships* awarded by National Jazz Festivals from solo competitions. As a local professional, Michael is one of the first call musicians for live performances and recording sessions and has performed along side many of the biggest names in the music industry**. He currently owns, performs with, and books some of the best and most popular event bands in Utah for corporate events, upscale weddings and concerts. In addition to live music, his saxophone playing can be found recorded on TV commercials, CDs, music albums, commercial productions and other projects.
Michael is a well known and in demand teacher and clinician around Utah and Salt Lake counties. He teaches saxophone lessons for the BYU School of Music, UVSC school of music as well as "The Music School" in American Fork. Mr. Tobian has been the teacher and director of a number of well known college, high school and Jr. high bands such as the "BYU Jazz Lab Band," the "Crescent Little Big Band," "Salsiology" and more. He is a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Michael’s students have won awards at solo festivals and have gone on to become music majors in college. His broad experience and positive approach to teaching creates an atmosphere where students can progress rapidly.
