Musical Education and Lineage
Micah holds a Master of Music degree from Columbus State University (M.M.), where he studied with Wendy Warner—one of the most prominent students of Mstislav Rostropovich. He is currently pursuing an Performance Certificate under Dr. Wesley Baldwin, whose pedagogical lineage includes Colin Carr and Janos Starker. In 2022, Micah graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pensacola Christian College, where he studied under Lucas Canada, a student of Kim Cook — herself a student of Aldo Parisot and Janos Starker. This strong educational foundation has given Micah deep insight into the western classical cello tradition, further enhanced by his studies of technique, tone, and expressive nuance. He performs on a cello crafted in Prague by Johann Kulich in 1850.
Career Highlights
Micah is a frequent collaborator in chamber music settings and has performed with a variety of ensembles spanning classical and contemporary genres. His versatility allows him to move fluidly between orchestral stages and more intimate or experimental projects, performing in concerts with artists ranging from The Temptations and Shara Nova to Melissa White and Awadagin Pratt. Micah serves as faculty at the Ghana National Music Festival and as a representative of the Global Arts Initiative. The work he does with these institutions is of central importance to Micah, as it allows him to do what he loves most: create opportunities to engage with music in a way the community would otherwise never get. Micah is also a composer and arranger, with ongoing work focused on reimagining traditional music for modern performance contexts. Of a particular interest is his focus on the West African traditions and how they might be interfaced with his instrument, so that they may be brought to a wider audience.
World Music and Cultural Influence
Micah’s passion for world music, particularly West African folk traditions, stems from his formative years living in Ghana. There, he developed a deep respect for the musical and cultural richness of African rhythm, melody, and improvisation. This experience not only shaped his musical sensibility but also led to the creation of a guitar-cello duo, T2, with his brother Jordan. Specializing in West African folk fusion, T2 has been seen across the United States as leading artists of West African fusion. Micah’s genre-defying influences—ranging from African folk and Broadway to choral and a cappella music—continue to inform his performance style and musical outlook.
More About Me
Thoughts on Music Performance
Live Performances
“The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenaline but rather the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder.”
– Glenn Gould
Performing is a profound way to honor heritage and express the deepest truths of the soul. It connects us to culture and history, forging a connection to those who came before. It demands personal conviction and vulnerability from the musician, and requires the highest level of dedication for a truly transformative audience experience. Find my upcoming events below to join me in exploring music together.Lessons and Teaching
Chamber Music
“Chamber music is the ultimate act of shared music-making. Each voice matters, and the whole depends on every individual.”
– Arnold Steinhardt
Chamber music holds a deep passion in my career. I find no greater joy in performance than to craft and curate an experience with beloved and talented musicians. I have most frequently pursued this art by performing with T2, but also engage frequently in coaching and performing chamber music as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Tennessee.
World Music
“The universality of music lies in its power to transcend language and culture.”
-Ravi Shankar
To me, being a musician comes with the responsibility to transcend geopolitics and spark global kinship by speaking the only universal language known to man. World music is my tool to create real cultural brotherhood. While always looking for opportunities to share music from around the globe, I most frequently present traditional West African music with my brother, Jordan in our world music duo, T2.
Thoughts on Scholarship
“Music is the thread that ties together the stories of the world.”
– Youssou N’Dour
Research and Academia
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”
– Gustav Mahler
As an active researcher, writer, and academic, I find great personal joy and satisfaction in discovering histories and purposes in my music. These autodidactical endeavors have helped to shape the way I experience music, and inform what I do on stage for an audience.
Non-Profit Engagements
“When children learn music, they are developing their ears, their eyes, their motor skills, their capacity to concentrate. Music is not just about music—it is about personal growth.”
– Mstislav Rostropovich
My extensive work with the Global Arts Initiative has allowed me to assist in unlocking doors and removing barriers for children who otherwise might never have an opportunity to explore the wonder of music.
Lessons and Teaching
“Music is a language. And like any language, the best way to learn it is to speak it.”
– Victor Wooten
“If children are not introduced to music at an early age, I believe something fundamental is actually being taken from them.”
– Plácido Domingo
Nothing else ignites creativity, shapes discipline, and unlocks deep emotional expression the way that learning an instrument does. Few things bring me as much joy as assisting my fellow man in connecting with culture and self through music.
Thoughts on Music Education
D. Micah Taylor, cellist 