Mike Christiansen is Professor Emeritus in the Music Department at Utah State University. Mike founded the guitar program at USU, and was Director of Guitar Studies at USU for 39 years. In 1994, he was selected as Professor of the Year at Utah State University. Mike received the ASTA (American String Teachers Association) Utah Chapter Outstanding Collegiate Educator of the Year Award in 2006.  In December of 2012, Mike was selected as one of the U.S. Carnegie Professors of the Year, and was also selected as the USU Caine College of the Arts Professor of the Year. Mike is a renowned guitar educator and has taught workshops at many schools, and is a frequent clinician for guitarists and educators at various conferences. He averages over 130 performances annually as a soloist, with the group Phase II, and with the Lightwood Duo (a clarinet-guitar duo which has released six recordings). Mike is the author and/or co-author of 44 books. He has performed with many artists including: Jack Petersen, Glen Frey (the Eagles), Joe Diorio, Sid Jacobs, Jose Posadas, and Johnny Hilland. Mike has been a back-up musician for various artists on recordings, and has recorded music for television and films .