Jerry "Doc" Michaelson

Jerrold (Jerry or Doc) Michaelson currently lives in St. Augustine, Florida  having grown up in Lakeland, Florida, where he attended Lakeland High School. After graduation Jerry attended The Florida State University and the University of Florida.  He received the BME degree from FSU in 1968 performing in the Marching Chiefs, Symphonic Band, Basketball Pep Band, and a Jazz Band, (a clandestine ensemble) and several jazz/pop bands including his "JM Quartet".  He later completed the MEd degree from UF in 1974, and the PhD degree in the College Teaching of Music in 1981. He has served as Director of Bands/Percussion Instructor at the University of Tampa, Northern Michigan University, Georgia Southern University, Jenkins High School (Savannah, GA) and Liberty County High School (Hinesville, GA).

While at Georgia Southern he was the Coordinator of Music Education, Director of Bands, Percussion instructor and founded the college’s Marching Band.  Doc has published professional articles in several journals on a variety of musical subjects. Dr. Michaelson has served as a clinician/adjudicator in numerous states and is an active professional musician.

He has performed in a variety of professional symphonies including The Savannah Symphony the Hilton Head Symphony, big bands, combos and instrumental ensembles. During the period 2005-2007 he performed with the Tallahassee Winds and served as drummer of the Thursday Night Music Club (a big band organization). 

During the past ten years he has served as an instructor for The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind where he teaches instrumental lessons and formerly assisted with N'Vision, a pop/rock/jazz ensemble composed of blind students. He is the founder of the FSDB Drum Line named Blind Cadence which is in its third year.  He is also the drummer for a jazz/pop trio and continues to remain active as a clinician and adjudicator. 

He has performed as percussionist with the St. Augustine Concert Band for the past three years and is the timpanist for the St. Augustine Orchestra. His wife Kathy is also a graduate of The Florida State University receiving both her bachelors and masters degrees and has recently retired as a Braille Specialist from The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind where she was selected as 2010 Teacher of the Year for the Elementary/Middle School Blind department.  Jerry is a proud father and grandfather of two daughters, three grandsons and four granddaughters.