Michael Douce, musician extradordinaire, born 24 years ago in Columbus, Ohio. As a toddler, Michael used his little fingers to gently play the ivories on a family piano, so his parents started him on piano lessons a few months before he turned three. By age five he was studying with Mary Craig Powell, a professor at Capital University, with whom he studied classical piano with through his high school years.
During his study of classical piano he had many accomplishments, performing in numerous competitions and other annual events around the state of Ohio. He received a "Unanimous Superior" rating at the OSMA competitions for 12 straight years, earning him the largest gold cup awarded by the event. He also placed 2nd in the state's Buckeye Pianist competition in 1999, an event he only competed in once.
While attending Olentangy High School, Michael accompanied the top choirs, as well as recorded original tracks for the school's showchoir Keynotes. He spent his study halls creating and recording music, beginning his interest in audio engineering and studio recording. With the help of Craig Markley at Lone Raven Studios, Michael released his first original album "Dreams" as a senior project, complete with a release concert that packed over 400 into his home church, Liberty Presbyterian Church.
A student double-majoring in Jazz Piano and Music Business, Michael graduated from Butler University in 2005, earning a B.A. with honors in both Music and Recording Studies. There, he accompanied the vocal ensemble Jordan Jazz, of which he was a member of for three years. He was also pianist in the Butler Jazz Ensemble, and was a member of the honors music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon. Michael released another album during his time at Butler titled "The Before and After Project." This consisted of mostly original music, but expanded upon solo piano to include other instruments and musicians. He also was able to lend his piano talents on several other projects as well, acting not only as a studio pianist but a composer and arranger as well.
Michael has been the Director of Praise Music at Old Bethel United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN since February of 2002. During this time he has completely re-developed the church's second morning service into a full-blown contemporary service, complete with a live band, vocalists, and the use of multi-media. He has recently taken on additional worship media responsibilities in order to advance Old Bethel technologically, including developing the church's website, the creation of Ministry Commercials, and improving the sanctuary's lighting coverage.
At Butler, Michael met a beautiful girl whom, after years of convincing, agreed to marry him. Michael, who was a member of Phi Kappa Psi, met Jennifer at a greek event in which his fraternity was paired with her sorority Alpha Phi. Jennifer recently graduated with her Masters from the Indiana University School of Social Work, and is employed with Gallahue Health Services through Community Hospitals. They have two dogs together, Sniffles and Barley, and enjoy the fun and committment that comes with having pets. They like watching the Colts win, as well as eating at their favorite mexican restaurant, Los Rancheros.
