Mike is an accomplished drummer and sound engineer with deep roots in both performance and production. He holds a Master’s degree in Sound Recording from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, a highly selective program that admits just eight students per year. During his studies, he was awarded the John R.E. Bradley Prize – a prestigious fellowship recognizing outstanding graduate work in sound recording – for two consecutive years.

As a drummer, Mike has extensive experience both on the road and in the studio, performing everywhere from festivals and stadiums to intimate, private settings. His work as a recording engineer includes projects with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, The Glenn Gould School’s Royal Conservatory Orchestra, L’Orchestre de chambre de Montréal, and a wide range of independent artists.

From 2015 to 2020, he taught Music Technology, Music Production, Video, and Drums at The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music and at Humber College School of Creative and Performing Arts, before relocating to the Sunshine Coast.

Known among friends and collaborators for his tireless work ethic, deep pocket, and good-natured sense of humour, Mike thrives on musical challenges and enjoys working across a wide range of styles and genres. Born and raised on Canada’s West Coast, his musical path has led him through long-term stays in Nelson, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal – experiences that continue to shape his approach as both a musician and an engineer.

“I truly believe Mike is incapable of anything less than excellence. He excels at all he does, even putting in inordinate effort to not only achieve amazing results, but to master the skills required to achieve such results. A perfectionist in the truest sense of the word.”

- Brett Leonard , BLP Audio, University of Nebraska at Omaha

AUDIO SAMPLES

Artists Mike’s worked with…

Terra Grimard, Champagne James Robertson, Christine Bougie, Michael Herring, Dean Drouillard, Donovan Woods, Robbie Grunwald, Lydia Persaud, Gavin Youngash, Dawn Pemberton, Justin Dunlop, The O’Pears, Dafydd Hughes, Anna Sumi, Terry Wilkins, Alex CubaZaki Ibrahim, DJ Kutcorners, Jacob Wiens, Rob McLaren, Nick Doneff, David Ward, The Sumner Brothers, Amalia, Cutty Lark, Nomad, Warren Dean Flandez, Hilary Grist, 1415, Dee Daniels, Stu Hamm.

Mike has studied with:

Matt Chamberlain (Brad Mehldau, Fiona Apple, Kimbra), George Massenburg (Earth Wind & Fire, Frank Sinatra, Little Feat), Richard King (Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Ben Folds), Steve Epstein (Bobby McFerrin, Tokyo String Quartet, Punch Brothers).

Available for drum and music production/audio engineering lessons.
Get in touch – mike [@] mikeardagh.com