Michael Kolstad

Kolstad, a trombonist and associate professor of music at Evangel University, has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe and has taught at several universities and colleges.

Kolstad has been with Evangel University since 1991, teaching a variety of courses over the years. He also is the founder and director of the Evangel University Summer Music Camp and Evangel University Honors Academy and founder of the Evangel Jazz Ensemble.

He holds doctorate of musical arts and a master of music degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and an undergraduate degree from Evangel University.

Though this dynamic teacher and performer hopes to continue his current career path well into the future, he is mindful of the advice of a former adviser: “Don’t be afraid of change, embrace it. Once you ignore change you become irrelevant,” he said. “My adviser in graduate school once told me that it is impossible to maintain the status quo; you either are growing or you are receding.”

Kolstad’s list of accomplishments include performances with the Springfield Regional Opera, Branson Big Band Sound and Springfield Symphony. In 2005, Kolstad directed a 150-piece high-school-aged orchestra during a festival at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

More than 20,000 people were in attendance, but that’s not the biggest crowd Kolstad has faced.

More than 60,000 people attended a concert he directed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., again featuring high-school-aged musicians.

Born: 1966

What do you feel is your most important accomplishment to date? Convincing my wife to marry me, and having two great kids.

What book do you have open? The Bible. I also recently finished “Angels and Demons,” by Dan Brown.

If you were faced with a difficult business decision, from whom would you seek advice, and why? My dad. He has a way of keeping things in perspective, and I truly admire the way that he treats people.