Meet the Teachers

Wess McMichael has been playing guitar for forty years, professionally for thirty-six. He has been teaching guitar since 1988. He fell in love with music at a young age listening to the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Hank Williams. His first band was a punk/new wave band The Fun-de-mentals, in Stillwater in the Eighties. Wess went on to play rock, blues, jazz, and country in Stillwater, Lawton, Oklahoma City, Norman, and a six year stint in Austin Texas. He is currently playing with the Ravens as well many other side projects. 

First he studied classical guitar and competed in scholastic music theory competitions in high school. He founded McMichael Music in Norman Oklahoma in August of 2000. Wess has put together the music complement to many community events such as Earthday, Midsummer’s Night Fair, Mayfair, Dreamer Stage at Norman Music Festival, Groovefest, and currently is the cofounder of The Norman Porch Festival. Wess has a public favorite color, which is blue. His true favorite color is a mystery.

Born and raised in Norman, Justin Dupuis began his musical endeavors at the ripe age of 12. His love for playing guitar led him to take lessons at believe it or not, McMichael Music. 

After forming the band Bungalouski in high school with his best friends, Justin saw that his passion could become a career. He went on to get a Fine Arts Degree in Music Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma. 

Since then, he has played in countless bands, toured regionally, played all sorts of strings for numerous musicals, and has been teaching his little heart out. 

During his lessons, Justin strives to teach all things music and the life that comes with it. 

If you happen to bring up anything nerdy, there’s a good chance the lesson will sneak its way past the end time! 

Geoffrey Burch is a professional composer of music for film with over 60 visual media credits from North and South America and Europe, including award winning feature length movies, animations, podcasts, and video games. 

He is a classically trained bassoon player and has played piano and keyboards with local ensembles for over 20 years, including Bridge Road Caravan, Tincture, The New Rhodes Band, Widemouth, and The Proprietors of the Earth.  

 Geoffrey Burch holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s Degree in Music Composition from Bristol University.  

He has taught Piano, Bassoon, Composition, and Audio Production at McMichael’s Music since 2012. In his spare time, Geoffrey enjoys blathering about economics.

Keely Brown's unique blend of insight, zeal, and tenacity makes her lessons resonate deeply.

As a child, Keely connected with the violin by watching her sister's lessons. Initially finding it difficult, she persisted and eventually felt truly alive through the instrument. She later learned the viola, cementing a lifelong connection with both instruments.

At sixteen, Keely discovered her passion for teaching. For over seven years, she has mentored students, helping them achieve their goals and form lifelong connections with music. 

Percussion

Randall Coyne earned a B. Mus. Ed. degree from UMass in 1980 and has taught percussion and drum set for over 40 years. Before joining McMichaels Music in 2020, he worked at the Norman Music Institute for a year.

Randy currently plays with Susan Herndon and the Bella Counsel, Highway 66, The Blues Tribe, and the Crosspointe Vintage Band. He has collaborated with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Toby Keith, Pearl Bailey, Miss Brown to You, and the Larry Hammett Trio. He has toured England and taught drum set in Greece. Coyne studied with Dr. Peter Tanner, Johnny Vidacovich, Andy Newmark, and Gordy Knutson

Sarah Selchow, based in Norman, Oklahoma, discovered her love for music during her formative years in Norman Public Schools. With a B.A. in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma and certifications in early childhood music and educational leadership, she has dedicated over two decades to teaching elementary music. Beyond the classroom, Sarah is a vocal coach passionate about empowering individuals to uncover their singing talents. Her high-quality lessons cater to all levels, fostering a supportive environment that honors each student's unique journey. Sarah's empathetic approach emphasizes personalized instruction, aiming to refine abilities and nurture self-expression, empowerment, and connection through music.