Mike Galea

Mike Galea is a trumpet player and music educator from San Mateo, California. He currently serves as the Director of Bands at Hillsdale High School, where he works with more than 170 student musicians in concert band, jazz ensemble, and other music courses each year.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies from the University of the Pacific in 2016 and completed a Master of Music Education degree at San José State University in 2026. His graduate research, titled Bridging the Gap: Conducting Strategies for Jazz Ensembles Informed by Choral and Orchestral Pedagogy, explored ways that conducting practices from other ensemble traditions can support jazz ensemble instruction.

As a performer, Mike remains active throughout the Bay Area, appearing with jazz ensembles, concert bands, orchestras, and musical theater productions. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to perform alongside artists including Steve Allee, Paul Young, Wayne Bergeron, Ed Simon, Jamie Baum, Peter Erskine, Stefon Harris, Duane Lawrence, and Greg Yasinitsky. He has also performed with more than 35 pit orchestras throughout the Peninsula and regularly collaborates on musical theater productions as both a musician and a music director.

At Hillsdale High School, Mike directs the school’s band program and jazz ensemble, whose performances have been recognized at festivals throughout California. Above all, he values creating meaningful musical experiences for students and helping young musicians develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for music.