Mike WhittakerMusical Director

Michael Whittaker is a unique hybrid of his diverse upbringing. Growing up in Los Angeles California, he grew up listening to a diverse culture of music. At a young age, his training on piano began in both jazz and classical music. By his early twenties, he had already begun to mold his own identifiable sound and was one of Los Angeles’ most sought after sidemen. 

Michael’s experience in many styles, as well as his work as a producer, has earned him the top spot as keyboard player with numerous recording artists. He has been a sideman and produced for noted artists such as Jimmy Kimmel Live house band, Paulina Rubio, Wayman Tisdale, Darlene Zschech, Warren Hill, Lionel Richie, Cake, Boyd Tinsley from the Dave Mathews Band, Jeff Golub, Mindi Abair, Eric Marienthal, Brenda Russell, Paul Jackson Jr., Everette Harp, Alex Acuna, Abe Laboriel, Gary Meek, Brandon Fields, Cecilia Noel, Marco Mendoza, Andrew Gouche, Don Grusin, Keith Carlock and many others.

As a film scoring student from UCLA, Michael’s classical training and knowledge of orchestration has allowed him to compose the film score’s of over 300 television episodes and TV movies including the popular Power Rangers. Currently Michael is independently scoring and producing for companies like Disney, Sony, NBC and Lions Gate Films. His orchestration and keyboard skill have won many awards such as the Telly award for his score to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Bank of America Musical Achievement award, International Association of Jazz Educators player excellence award, and the Clarence Brown Memorial scholarship for jazz.

Notable shows Michael’s music is featured in are Americas Next Top Model, Funniest Pets and Animals, A&E Toby Keith Documentary, Battleground Earth, Best Damn Sports, Biography of Tiger Woods, Dr 90210, Gene Simmons Family, Leprechaun 6, Modern Marvels, Naruto Movie, Xyber 9 New Dawn, Access Hollywood, X Men Marvel Cartoon, The New Addams Family, The Power Rangers, The Ninja Turtles, Americas Most Wanted, Action Man, Nobel Peace Awards 2000 theme

Now home in Nashville TN, Michael works both as composer/producer and music director at the Oasis Church in Nashville.