As a composer, arranger, producer Mike has established a prolific career
working in many mediums including television, motion pictures, radio, live
concerts and audio recordings. He has scored over 40 films for PBS. Additional
commercial clients include Exxon, McDonald’s, Blue Cross, McDonald's and many more.
Mike has received the following Emmy Awards:
2008 WIN - Best Documentary Score “Atchafalaya Houseboat" - composer original score
2017 WIN Best Documentary Score "Deeply Rooted" - composer original score
2023 Nomination - Best Documentary Score "The Precipice" - composer original score
Mike has received the following Grammy certificates:
2021 WIN - Best Gospel Album - "Gospel According to PJ" (PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
2023 Nomination - Best R&B Album - "Watch the Sun" (PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
2023 Nomination - Best R&B Song - "Please Don't Walk Away" (PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
2025 WIN - Best Gospel Album - "Heart of Mine" (Darrel Walls/PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
Additional Awards:
2002 Alvin Batiste "Hall of Distinction" Award
2008 Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship for composition
1996 Henry Mancini Fellowship
As an arranger, Mike's works are on recordings featuring many notable artists including Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, Jose Feliciano, Jill Scott, Samara Joy, Alex Isley, NAS, Cyrille Aimee, China Moses, Mary Mary, The Clarke Sisters, Kurt Elling, Le'Andria Johnson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Quiana Lynell, Neena Freelorn, Darrel Walls, Dianne Reeves, Allen Touissant, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Lou Rawls, Haley Rienhart, Zachary Richard, Terence Blanchard and many others. His arrangements have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center and by orchestras including the Prague Symphony Orchestra, London Studio Orchestra, Seattle Studio Orchestra, the Grammy award winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra(NOJO) as well as numerous others.
As a composer, Mike's music has been used on programs/networks such as NCIS:New Orleans, American Idol, FOX Sports, NFL 360, Comedy Central, Lifetime Channel, Netflix, Bravo, etc.
Mike has also worked closely with 5 time Grammy winner and Oscar nominated film composer Terence Blanchard on numerous films including “Original Sin” (Angelina Jolie/Antonio Banderas), “Caveman’s Valentine”(Samuel Jackson),
"People I Know"(Al Pacino).
Mike has collaborated with 6 time Grammy winner, PJ Morton (Maroon 5/Solo R&B-Gospel artist) , as string arranger and conductor for his last 6 albums.
working in many mediums including television, motion pictures, radio, live
concerts and audio recordings. He has scored over 40 films for PBS. Additional
commercial clients include Exxon, McDonald’s, Blue Cross, McDonald's and many more.
Mike has received the following Emmy Awards:
2008 WIN - Best Documentary Score “Atchafalaya Houseboat" - composer original score
2017 WIN Best Documentary Score "Deeply Rooted" - composer original score
2023 Nomination - Best Documentary Score "The Precipice" - composer original score
Mike has received the following Grammy certificates:
2021 WIN - Best Gospel Album - "Gospel According to PJ" (PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
2023 Nomination - Best R&B Album - "Watch the Sun" (PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
2023 Nomination - Best R&B Song - "Please Don't Walk Away" (PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
2025 WIN - Best Gospel Album - "Heart of Mine" (Darrel Walls/PJ Morton) - orchestra arranger and conductor
Additional Awards:
2002 Alvin Batiste "Hall of Distinction" Award
2008 Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship for composition
1996 Henry Mancini Fellowship
As an arranger, Mike's works are on recordings featuring many notable artists including Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, Jose Feliciano, Jill Scott, Samara Joy, Alex Isley, NAS, Cyrille Aimee, China Moses, Mary Mary, The Clarke Sisters, Kurt Elling, Le'Andria Johnson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Quiana Lynell, Neena Freelorn, Darrel Walls, Dianne Reeves, Allen Touissant, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Lou Rawls, Haley Rienhart, Zachary Richard, Terence Blanchard and many others. His arrangements have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center and by orchestras including the Prague Symphony Orchestra, London Studio Orchestra, Seattle Studio Orchestra, the Grammy award winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra(NOJO) as well as numerous others.
As a composer, Mike's music has been used on programs/networks such as NCIS:New Orleans, American Idol, FOX Sports, NFL 360, Comedy Central, Lifetime Channel, Netflix, Bravo, etc.
Mike has also worked closely with 5 time Grammy winner and Oscar nominated film composer Terence Blanchard on numerous films including “Original Sin” (Angelina Jolie/Antonio Banderas), “Caveman’s Valentine”(Samuel Jackson),
"People I Know"(Al Pacino).
Mike has collaborated with 6 time Grammy winner, PJ Morton (Maroon 5/Solo R&B-Gospel artist) , as string arranger and conductor for his last 6 albums.
As a pianist/keyboardist, Mike has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Wynton Marsalis,
Don Vappie, Terence Blanchard, Peter Erskine, Nicholas Payton, Frank Morgan, Brian Blade,
Kurt Elling, Vanessa Rubin, Irma Thomas, Pete Fountain and many more. He has performed at venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and all around the world including festivals in
Canada, Brazil, England, Switzerland, Italy, Virgin Islands, India. etc.
Mike is also very active as a clinician and teacher. In 2023, Mike was received the
Alvin Batiste Hall of Distinction Award for his lifetime contribution and cultivation
of jazz music in the state of Louisiana. In November
2017 he was inducted into the Louisiana Association of Jazz
Educators (LAJE) Hall of Fame.
Mike has given master classes throughout the US and also served as a teacher in the East Baton
Rouge Gifted and Talented Program where he taught from 1998 to 2023. Within this program Mike focused on many different areas
of music with very gifted young students including composition, jazz improvisation, arranging and music technology.
In addition, Mike taught at New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) 2001-2002 where former students included on Jon Batiste (winner of Academy Award Winner, Golden Globe, Grammy's and Emmys), Sullivan Fortner (Grammy winner), Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews (Grammy Winner).
Mike has also served as a Professional Artist in Residence at Louisiana State University where he taught jazz piano and improvisation.
Alvin Batiste Hall of Distinction Award for his lifetime contribution and cultivation
of jazz music in the state of Louisiana. In November
2017 he was inducted into the Louisiana Association of Jazz
Educators (LAJE) Hall of Fame.
Mike has given master classes throughout the US and also served as a teacher in the East Baton
Rouge Gifted and Talented Program where he taught from 1998 to 2023. Within this program Mike focused on many different areas
of music with very gifted young students including composition, jazz improvisation, arranging and music technology.
In addition, Mike taught at New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) 2001-2002 where former students included on Jon Batiste (winner of Academy Award Winner, Golden Globe, Grammy's and Emmys), Sullivan Fortner (Grammy winner), Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews (Grammy Winner).
Mike has also served as a Professional Artist in Residence at Louisiana State University where he taught jazz piano and improvisation.
Influential teachers in Mike’s musical development include Alvin Batiste, Dr. Bert Braud, Lawrence
Siebert, Mike Pellera, Dr. Willis Delony and Dr. Bill Grimes and J.R. Miller. He has also studied with many others
including Johnny Mandel, Patrick Williams, John Clayton, Alf Clausen, Dave Grusin and more.
Mike is currently the Director of Arts in Education for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge serving 10 parishes.
Mike is a Grammy Recording Academy member.
Additional links:
Siebert, Mike Pellera, Dr. Willis Delony and Dr. Bill Grimes and J.R. Miller. He has also studied with many others
including Johnny Mandel, Patrick Williams, John Clayton, Alf Clausen, Dave Grusin and more.
Mike is currently the Director of Arts in Education for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge serving 10 parishes.
Mike is a Grammy Recording Academy member.
Additional links: