EDUCATION:

Degrees: Masters in Jazz Studies and Studio Jazz Guitar, University of Southern California,
Under Richard Smith, Frank Potenza, Pat Kelley, David Oakes, Steve Trovato and Joe Diorio

B.A. in Music for Performance Classical Guitar, Long Beach State University

Additional studies: Don Schamber, Monterey Peninsula College, California
John Crosse, Westminster College, Utah, Leonard DiGrassi, Glendale College, California - emphasis in Art History

Composition: Ladd Macintosh, Lyle “Spud” Murphy, John Prince, Tom Kubis, Michael Mitacek and Bill Fowler

Private study: Joe Diorio, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Howard Roberts, Ted Greene,
Dale Ramey, George Johnston and Tony Rizzi

Classical guitar: Harvey Malloy and Kurt Schuster, Long Beach State University
Scott Tennant and Brian Head, University of Southern California

TEACHING:

Golden West College, California State University Long Beach, University of Southern California, Musicians Institute, Biola University, American School in London and private instruction

RECORDINGS, TELEVISION, FILMS, COMMERCIALS:

Recordings: Michael Higgins, “Home Again”, "The Moon and the Lady Dancing", “Ventana”
SHAPES, “The Last Farewell”
Maynard Ferguson, “Body & Soul”, “High Voltage”
Tom Kubis Big Band, “Slightly Off the Ground”, “At Last”, “It’s Not Just For Christmas Anymore”
Simply Jazz, “Hook, Line and Speaker”
Barbara Morrison, “I’m Gettin’ ‘Long All Right”
Steve Allen, “Keep Swingin’ “
Luther Hughes and Cahoots
Lois Boileau

Television: Big Wave Dave’s, CHIPS, The Bob Newhart Show, The Today Show, Wings, Charlie’s Angels, The Pat Sajak Show plus a number of songwriter, jingle and album demos to name a few

Films: CPP Media Video LCD Motion Pictures, “Boiling Point” with Dennis Hopper and Wesley Snipes

Commercials: Sanyo, Knott’s Berry Farm, Toyota, Great Western Bank, Chief Auto Parts, Nike, Sony, 7-Up, Budweiser, Campbell’s, GM, Chevy, Bally’s, RC Cola, JC Penny, Miller, Coors Light, Mazda, Stouffers, Kraft, Ralph’s Supermarkets, Lipton, Pepsi-Cola

PERFORMANCE:

Jazz: Maynard Ferguson, Eddie Harris, Tom Scott, Tom Kubis, Bill Liston, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Clark Terry, Joe Diorio, Jack Sheldon, Brandon Fields, John Patitucci, Ernie Watts, Bill Watrous, George van Eps, Jay Anderson, Milt Jackson, Al Hirt, Mundell Lowe, Ron Eschete, Flora Purim, Airto Moriera, Wilton Felder, John Guerin, Max Bennett, Mike Davis, Steve Allen, Scott Henderson, Eric Marienthal, Jimmy Haslip, Russ Ferante, David Benoit, Pete Christlieb, Barbara Morrison 

Entertainers: Fifth Dimension, Jeffery Osborne, Blood Sweat and Tears, Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine, Carol Burnette, Bernadette Peters, Joel Gray, Maureen McGovern, Belinda Carlisle, Glenn Close, Barry Manilow, Glen Campbell, Ned Beatty, Brenda Russell, Jimmy Buffet, Kuh Ladesma, Dorothy Hamill, Carol Channing, Whoopi Goldberg, Cloris Leachman, George Burns, Jack Wagner, Joan Rivers, Englebert Humperdink, Bobby Vinton, Roger Williams, Orsen Wells, Rich Little, Michael Feinstein, Toni Tenille, Frankie Avalon, Wierd Al Yankovic, Jason Alexander, Elvira, Frankie Avalon

Events: Playboy Jazz Festival, Heritage Jazz Festival in New Orleans, Monterey and Newport Jazz Festivals, The Ojai Music Festival with The New World Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas performing “Phorian” by Lucas Foss, The San Jose Jazz Festival with “The Michael Higgins Group”, The Long Beach Municipal Concert and Studio Jazz Band, “Weird” Al Yankovic for the Gloria Estafan Hurricane Relief in Miami

Shows: Like Jazz, Show Boat, Ragtime, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, The Sound of Music, Chicago, Floyd Collins, They’re Playing Our Song, Everything’s Ducky, Grease, Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Evita, Man of LaMancha, Dreamgirls, Crazy for You, Annie Get Your Gun, RENT, Westside Story, A Chorus Line, Company, Cabaret, Big River, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof

OTHER INSTRUMENTS  Banjo, Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, Bazouki, Oud, Dobro, Hawaiian Steel Guitar

ENDORSEMENTS Line 6, GHS Strings and Akai

REPRESENTATIVE and Product Demonstration for Roland Corporation

Michael is also involved in Shapes Music