Mr. Michael Kolber is a State Licensed, School Board Certified, First-Class Music Educator. He has extensive experience and background teaching all instruments, all styles of music, and all ages; from early childhood, to grade school beginners, through middle, high school, to college and professionals. Whether teaching privately, in group settings, or as a director/conductor of large student ensembles, Mr. Kolber uses great care, compassion, and constant positive reinforcement in his teaching methods, all while maintaining an atmosphere of creativity and passion for higher learning and the arts. His years of experience as a public school music educator have provided him with the invaluable opportunity to work with 150 to 350 young students each and every day. He has conducted large student music ensembles in performance at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center, received top superior ratings at student music contests and festivals, while working day in and day out helping each student reach their full potential as a music instrumentalist. Mr. Kolber is one of South Florida’s most highly respected and versatile professional musicians and music educators. He is a true multi-instrumentalist. Performing Mozart and Weber concerto’s on the clarinet, a Jazz ensemble and improvisation specialist on all saxophones, a world-class bass violin player with decades of experience performing in Jazz Ensembles and Broadway Theater Shows, an expert on electric bass and a very competent flute, guitar, piano, and music theory instructor.
He lived, studied, and performed for years throughout the New York City area. As well as performing in Los Angeles, Mexico, throughout the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and of course South Florida. He has worked as Musical Director and Band Leader for Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In 1994 Michael left New York City and moved back to South Florida to open “il bacio” Restaurant and Music Club. For the next 5 years he was the owner, operator, music director, musician, and head chef of South Florida’s critically acclaimed, premier establishment for excellent food and great live music. Mr. Michael Kolber has a strong personal background in all areas of music; from Symphonic Bands, String Orchestras, Jazz Ensembles, Shows, Theater, Pop, Rock, Music Theory, History, etc…His experiences as a professional musician, musical director, educator and conductor have all contributed to his desire and ability to help all students of music reach their full potential, tap into their unique talents, and enjoy music throughout their life. Mr. Michael Kolber has studied at the University of Miami, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, and The New School for Social Research in New York City.
He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music education and has extensively studied child psychology and early childhood development. From 2005 to the present Mr. Kolber has been the creator, owner and director of Broward County’s most successful music academy. For the past 9 years his “New York Music Academy” (located in west Sunrise/Sawgrass area of South Florida) has provided the community with an establishment that truly celebrates the arts and gives people of all ages (kids to adults) a positive, creative learning environment. Mr. Kolber has assembled a teaching staff of highly-skilled, professional-performing musicians and experienced music educators. In 2013 he opened All That Jazz Café & Grill and is the head chef, operator and music director. Mr. Kolber’s other passions in life include raising his three young boys with his wife, as well as being a first class chef and an expert on health and nutrition.