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Mike Sundt, Director of Orchestras
Garfield Orchestra welcomes Mike Sundt as our Orchestra director.
Mr. Sundt studied music at Central Michigan University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education, with a focus in double bass performance. He also has two Masters degrees in Learning & Technology and Curriculum & Instruction.
In Mr. Sundt's time teaching at Washington Middle School, his jazz ensembles received many local and national awards, including a 2023 award from Downbeat Magazine for "Outstanding Middle School Jazz Ensemble" among bands across the nation. In 2018, he was a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Museum’s “Educator of the Year” award. In 2023, he was the first recipient of the Andy Robertson Memorial Director's Award at the Bellevue High School Jazz Festival.
As a bassist, Mr. Sundt has performed around the region with a variety of ensembles, including the Pacific Cascade Big Band and the Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra. He is a member of Washington Music Educators’ Association and the National Association for Music Education.
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Jared Sessink, Director of Bands
Jared Sessink has been the Director of Bands and Jazz at Garfield High School since 2019. He teaches concert/athletic bands, drumline, and jazz.
Mr. Sessink studied music at Central Michigan University and graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education, with a focus in trumpet performance.
In 2015, as the Band Director in Granite Falls, WA, he was selected to represent Washington in the ’50 Directors Who Make a Difference’ yearly report published by School Band and Orchestra magazine.
Mr. Sessink taught at Washington Middle School in Seattle from 2016-2019, where his ensembles received national recognition, including 2nd place at the 2019 Reno Jazz Festival.
An active musician in the Seattle area, he performs regularly as a trumpet soloist with the Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra. He is a member of Washington Music Educators’ Association and the National Association for Music Education.