Mike Barden - Owner/Engineer/Producer
Mike's ability as a engineer and producer arises out of over 25 years of experience as a performing musician and a lifetime of interest in music technology Since 1994, he has produced three CDs of his own piano performances—”Glory to the Newborn King”, ”Rest”, and ”Groovy Church Tunes”, plus the "Coverage" CD for Uptown, the jazz/pop group in which he plays keyboards.
Growing up in Eagle River, Wisconsin, Mike attended Nicolet College in Rhinelander (1986), where a self-produced recording of an original composition was featured in a sound and light show put on by Nicolet's Theater department. He later graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music theory and composition from UW-Stevens Point (1989), and a Master's degree in composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign (1991). While at the U of I, Mike studied music technology at the internationally renowned Experimental Music Studios. And in 2003, he graduated with honors in Recording Engineering from the Audio Institute of America.
Mike is fluent in a wide variety of musical styles. He has performed classical repertoire as the principal keyboardist in the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, old-time dance music with John Check and the Wisconsin Dutchmen (with whom he played on two CDs), and big band jazz with River Cities Jazz (he also played on their CD). Other performing experience include playing keyboard and electric guitar with Rhinelander rock band Equinox and Stevens Point blues band Cold Shot, which was led by accomplished Milwaukee guitarist Greg Koch. As a pianist with various ensembles, he has shared the stage with Janet Planet, Maynard Ferguson, and the Neville Brothers. Currently, Mike performs primarily with the above-mentioned "Uptown."