The (Very!) Abridged Bio

Michael Sanchez moved to the Portland, Oregon area in September 2001 after graduating from McLoughlin High School in Milton-Freewater, Oregon.  He played co-lead and solo chair for the Mt. Hood Community College Jazz Band under Susie Jones.  After MHCC, Michael went on to PSU to get his degree in Music Education.

Michael Sanchez

In college, Michael also began singing.  He quickly discovered his vocal talents and his singing has opened up new avenues of creativity as well as opportunities to make music.

While at PSU, he studied horn under Larry Johnson.  He taught music in the public school system for two years until budget cuts laid him off from teaching.

During this time of transition, Michael worked for a major sacred music publishing company as a contract engraver until he found full time work at a local music store as a road representative.  After 3 years on the road with the music store, Michael returned to teaching, and as of June 2016, Michael is the band director at Skyridge Middle School in Camas, Washington.

Michael has been the Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oregon City, Oregon and the Tenor Section Leader at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon.  He currently serves as the Verger at Christ Church Episcopal Parish in Lake Oswego, Oregon.  In 2017, Michael also served as Interim Minister of Music for Christ Church where he created a video to help parishioners with Anglican Chant.

When not engaging in music related activities, Michael is an avid racquetball player and participates in a local racquetball league.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church.  In his free time, he enjoys watching professional wrestling (a habit that he picked up from his grandmother!), playing video games, visiting with friends, cooking, reading, and staying out of trouble.

Michael and his husband Josef live in Vancouver, Washington.