Michael Teolis, Conductor

A native Chicagoan, Michael Teolis received his Bachelor in Music Education from De Paul University and his Masters in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music. He was a choral, orchestra, and band director as well as general music instructor in the Chicago Archdiocesan school system from 1974 until 1989 when he became Instrumental Music Director and Performing Arts Chair at The Latin School of Chicago. With Latin School’s Wind Ensemble, he has conducted performances in England, Ireland, Finland, Estonia, Germany, and France, often combining forces for concerts with local vocal and instrumental ensembles.

In 1972, he met composer/conductor William Ferris, who quickly became his friend, teacher, and mentor. With Ferris, he studied composition and orchestration. In 1973, he began his long association with the William Ferris Chorale (1973- 2005), serving as singer and as the ensemble’s associate conductor. Upon Ferris’ untimely death in 2000, Teolis served as the Chorale’s occasional guest conductor and choirmaster.

Over the years, Teolis has worked with notable classical artists such as Gian Carlo Menotti, Diane Bish, William Mathias, Peter Schickele, and Sir David Willcocks. In the field of popular music, he has worked with Mike Post and David Foster, and has been music director/accompanist for local talents Jimmy Damon, Joe Vito, Johnny Frigo, and Broadway star and Miss America, Kate Schindle. Many of his students have found their way into the field of music, including Joseph Burgstaller, former lead trumpet for the internationally renowned brass ensemble, The Canadian Brass and Christian Knapp, recently appointed as conductor of the renowned Mariinsky Opera, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Teolis has composed and arranged numerous vocal and instrumental works as well as two musicals and a musical revue. His published music has been featured in concerts and broadcasts in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, and Singapore, and is available through Hinshaw Music and Agape Press.