Mike Telfer...

Mike can't remember when he started into his musical path. He was born into a family in which music was just a way of life. Both parents and his only sister are very vocally gifted, and it was passed on to Mike. In school he started primarily as an athlete, but that all changed his Freshman year of high school in the hallways of The Dalles High School. He was approached by the high school choir director Lloyd Walworth and asked what his name was. When he told Lloyd his name the choir directors face instantly lit up with excitement. The reason he was so excited was because Lloyd had also had the pleasure of having both Mike's parents and his sister as students prior to Mike's arrival.

Through both Lloyd's direction and other voice lessons, Mike had found his true passion in music and would go on in high school to be accepted into many elite choirs in the Northwest. His senior year of high school he would go on to take first place in the tenor division of the Oregon Solo & Ensamble competition, a statewide voice competition which is held annually.

Mike was introduced to the world of small group contemporary A Cappella at the tail end of his senior year at The Dalles High School when a group called Second Chance, visited the school for a two concert set. Mike was approached after the concert by David Miller the choral director for Blue Mountain Community College and asked if he enjoyed the experience. Mike's response was that it was very exciting to see that there was a world out there that he didn't really even know about. Mike was invited to sing with Second Chance Singers that summer as a test run as they had a member that was leaving and a vacant spot to fill. It was an instant fit. Mike moved to Pendleton, Oregon, and his exciting career in A Cappella had officially started.

Six years have passed since that first step to A Cappella, and all six years have been full of excitement. He has had the chance to travel and share the stage and music with more groups than he can count. It is very exciting to see the spark that he is now able to light in young voices, just as it was done for him many years ago. Mike knows that A Cappella music is something that he will be involved in for the rest of his life in one way or another.

Outside of the group, Mike really enjoys spending time with his wife and family, playing any sport that has ever been conceived, and watching the Portland Trailblazers.

Contact: mike@vchords.com