Meet Michael Lake
Who Am I?
I'm Michael Lake—a Grammy-nominated trombonist, passionate music educator, and the founder of Music Savvy. With decades spent both performing and teaching jazz improvisation, I've dedicated my life to helping musicians unlock their full potential through innovative, ear-based methods. Beyond music, I'm also deeply engaged with web design, artificial intelligence, and coding, skills I've cultivated to enhance how I teach and share music online.
My love for music began early and has taken me around the globe, performing and collaborating with remarkable artists. Over time, I realized that my greatest joy comes from teaching musicians how to connect deeply with their instruments through their ears rather than relying solely on theory or notation. This realization inspired the creation of Music Savvy—a platform where improvisation meets intuition.
In recent years, my fascination with technology led me into building my web design, AI, and coding chops. These skills have empowered me to create engaging, user-friendly digital experiences and interactive tools like Jazz Chat, an AI-driven conversational resource helping musicians dive deeper into jazz improvisation, no matter where they may find themselves!
My Mission
At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to helping musicians find their unique voice. Music Savvy isn't just about learning scales or chords—it's about tapping into your musical instincts and embracing improvisation as an authentic expression of yourself. My aim is to guide you toward playing more naturally, confidently, and joyfully.
My Unique Approach
Unlike traditional music education focused heavily on written notes and analytical methods, my teaching philosophy emphasizes listening deeply, internalizing musical concepts, and expressing music through your ears first. By integrating interactive web tools and custom-coded learning environments, I create rich, intuitive learning experiences that cater to how musicians truly learn and grow.
Behind the Scenes
I'm not just an educator; I'm also a lifelong learner. My passion for web design and coding has enabled me to build Music Savvy into an accessible, interactive, and aesthetically pleasing online space.
When I'm not teaching or playing trombone, you'll likely find me immersed in coding projects, experimenting with new digital tools, or exploring ways to merge technology and music education even more seamlessly for a more impactful learning experience.
Let's Connect
I invite you to explore the courses, books, and resources available here at Music Savvy. Engage with Jazz Chat, read the blog, or reach out directly—I love hearing from fellow musicians and learners.
Together, let's make your musical journey intuitive, inspiring, and fullfilling.
