After graduation from high school in Fairfax County, Virginia, Michael Filkins attended The University of Michigan. After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, Filkins went on to be a band director for 38 years. As a clarinetist he studied with Col. Fred Boehrman of the Army Field Band, Dr William Wright of the National Symphony and Dr John Mohler. In Music Education, Filkins studied with Tom Dvorak, Richard Grunow and James Froseth. His conducting teachers and influences were Elizabeth Green, Carl St Clair, Alan McMurray and H. Robert Reynolds. Among many wonderful musical experiences Mr Filkins has created for his students, his band community is well respected in Michigan.