Michael first picked up the guitar at the late age of 16, and spent the next five years teaching himself how to play the instrument. He formal began study in 1987 when he enrolled at The Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Hollywood, California. The experience at GIT provided Michael with the opportunity to pick the minds of legendary guitarists such as Joe Pass, Joe Diorio, and Tommy Tedesco. In 1993, Michael began private study with world-renowned music educator Dick Grove. Their student-mentor relationship turned into a friendship that lasted up until Dick's untimely passing in 1998.

Michael has additional studies at the University of Hawai`i and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Technology & Music Education, and a Masters of Education (MEd) in Educational Technology.

As a music instructor, Michael had provided group and private instruction through the non-profit organization Introduction to the Arts (ITTA), King Intermediate School, Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, The Hawai`i Music Institute at Windward Community College, and The Word of Life Christian Academy.

He is currently teaching privately and through the non-profit organization Introduction to the Arts.