one of the thousand

<br/>Michael Rais (b. 1983) started learning music/bass at the young age of six years old. Rais started learning bass from his uncle, Roger Rais. Roger put the bass in his hands and taught him to play Led Zeppelin songs. From then on, there was no turning back. Even though his parents never played any instruments formally, there was always music playing in the house. His parents are very supportive of music and the arts. Rais was and still is very influenced by the music of the 80's (Ask him about Tears for Fears), and Motown.<br/><br/>​<br/><br/> <br/><br/>After high school, Rais auditioned for Wayne State University and received a Full Scholarship (Music Talent Award) in 2001. At Wayne State, he studied with Maxim Janowsky (Detroit Symphony), Stephen Molina (Detroit Symphony), and Craig Rifel (Detroit Symphony). Rais was also principal bassist in the Wayne State Symphony Orchestra (three years), and Wayne State Wind Symphony for four years. Rais graduated in the fall of 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Music and Instrumental Music Education. <br/> <br/>Currently Performing with:<br/>The Shades of Blue<br/>Il Segreto String Quartet<br/>South Eastern Michigan Wind Ensemble<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Recorded on albums:<br/>Black Milk<br/>Slum Village<br/>Sniff Test<br/>Il Segreto String Quartet<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Michael Rais is an alumnus of Livonia Public Schools. He completed his bachelor's degree at Wayne State University in Music and Music Education in 2006 and attended on a full scholarship. After attending Wayne State University, he completed his master's degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. Michael has been teaching for Livonia Public Schools since 2007. Mr. Rais was also nominated for teacher of the year during the 2013-2014 school year. He was announced spring 2015 that he is the Livonia Public Schools Middle School teacher of the year for the 2015-2016 school year.<br/><br/>Outside of the classroom, Mr. Rais is a very accomplished musician. He has performed all over North America as a touring bassist and musician. His main instrument is the electric bass and double bass. He has been playing bass for over 28 years. Some of his bass mentors include Roger Rais (Saga), Denny Finney (Zooster), Al Martin (Billie Holiday), Derek Weller (EMU, Michigan Opera Theater), Max Janowsky (Detroit Symphony), and Stephen Molina (Detroit Symphony). He won an award along with his ensemble Il Segreto String Quartet "Outstanding Small Ensemble" for 2014 from the Detroit Music Awards. He is also an arranger. He has arranged music for The Motown Experience and many educational ensembles. He specializes in arranging pop music for string orchestra and full orchestra. His arrangements have been performed by Flint Symphony, Northwestern Symphony and others