Orchestra Directors
What we play is life. - Louis Armstrong
Michael Giel
Michael Giel, Co-Director of Orchestras at Collins Hill High School received his Bachelors of Music Performance and Bachelors of Music Education degree from Valdosta State University and was a student of Karin Addis and Matson Topper. He recently completed his Masters in Music Education from the University of Georgia. As a violist and violinist he has performed with several orchestras in Georgia and Florida including the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Gainesville (GA) Symphony, Albany (GA) Symphony, Coastal Symphony of Georgia, Rome (GA) Symphony, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Ludwig Symphony Orchestra, Da Salo Solisti Chamber Orchestra, LaGrange Symphony, and the Central Florida Symphony. Among these orchestras, he has been a part of such productions including Amahl and the Night Visitors, Merry Wives of Windsor, the Wizard of Oz, and Porgy and Bess. Mr. Giel is the Orchestra Director for the Georgia Governors Honors Program at Valdosta State University in the summer and has also been a clinician for the Dekalb, Fulton, and Cherokee county orchestra festivals. Performing on electric violin as a member of several local rock bands, he has also performed as an opening act for such national bands as Third Day and Sister Hazel. He has also been featured in the Atlantis Music Conference and the On The Bricks concert series in 2003 which are two Atlanta musical showcases supporting local artists. Mr. Giel has also had the honor of performing with such artists and personalities including the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Debbie Reynolds, Josh Groban, Barry Manilow, and Oprah Winfrey.