Michael brings passion in multiple fields to his practice of architectural acoustics. He began studying music at an early age, playing violin and piano in elementary school and singing with the Houston Boychoir, eventually studying voice and trumpet at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. He continued his studies at Indiana University, with a focus on conducting. After graduating, he performed as a freelance musician in classical, jazz, and rock, touring in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia, giving him the opportunity to perform and record in venues and studios around the world. Having devoted more than ten years to his career in music, Michael decided to pursue a growing interest in design by studying architecture at Rice University. Working with several architectural firms while in school and after obtaining his M.Arch degree afforded an opportunity to help design a variety of projects, including private residences, multi-family housing, a major art museum, and a sports arena. Then, to fully combine his interests in music, sound, and architecture, Michael earned a second master’s degree in architectural acoustics at the Peabody Institute.

Michael brings architectural design and computer modeling expertise to the RBDG team, having a breadth of skills in computer design tools like Revit, CAD, and Rhino and acoustical modeling tools like CATT, Odeon, and EASE. In his architecture thesis, he looked at acoustics and the aural environment as a way to shape programming in a rehabilitative context, and for his acoustics thesis, he studied computer auralizations and the perceived changes by listeners to geometric model changes.

When not searching for the latest and greatest in architecture, sound, and “gear,” he still performs music, composes, cooks, and enjoys taking road trips to America’s off-beat destinations – natural or “un” natural.

Education

Bachelor of Music, Indiana University, 2001
Master of Architecture, Rice University, 2016
Master of Arts in Architectural Acoustics, Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, 2020

Professional Affiliations

ASA – Acoustical Society of America
AES – Audio Engineering Society of America
NCARB – National Council of Architectural Registration Boards