Michael started percussion studies in the elementary school band and on drum set. Then, through the good judgement of his Jr. High band director, Michael was sent to join the local drum & bugle corps. These group lessons along with his private lessons gave him a strong background in reading music and playing rudiments. Michael continued with this local corps and with the school band program all through high school. He also added guitar and trumpet to his basic piano studies, along with continuing drum set and voice studies.

After high school he joined the then State Champion Kingsmen Drum & Bugle Corps. The next 5 years of performing, arranging, cleaning, and finally teaching launched his career in drum corps. Michael was able to win 6 National Drum Titles and 6 National Corps Titles during this era. These National & World Titles would include American Legion, CYO, World Open, Mid-American Open, U.S. Open, and of course DCI. During this era he also taught 4 other drum corps' including the Golden Statesmen, the Monterey Park Girls, and the top12 finalist Stockton Commodores.
Michael continued to teach the Kingsmen until the fall of 1978. He launched the prestigious Kingsmen percussion school of music during this era.

The next years would begin his high school teaching career. Along with teaching the top high school lines, he also launched his music arranging and drill design business. With his Bachelor's in Music Education, and Master's in Music Composition, he was well suited to high school show design. The spring of 1979 was also the inception of the DAC circuit. The first show was December of 1979 with the first Championships in May of 1980. From that day till present, Michael's career is filled with Band Championships and Drum Line Championships too numerous to mention.

Currently, Michael Ellerby continues to teach privately and with a number of Championship High School groups. He also continues his judging career of many years. Michael also continues to sell his Drum Corps Challenge book & tape series across the country.

Drum Corps Teaching History
Anaheim Kingsmen (12 National & World Championships including DCI),(Percussion Arranger & Caption Head) taught 8 years.
Golden Statesmen (Class B Champion),(Percussion Arranger & Caption Head) taught 4 years.
Monterey Park Girls (Class B Champion),(Percussion Arranger & Caption Head) taught 9 years.
Stockton Commodores (Top 12 DCI Corps),(Percussion Arranger & Caption Head) taught 2 years.
Carson Crusaders (Local Corps),(Percussion Arranger & Caption Head) taught 1 year.
Velvet Knights (Top 12 Corps),(Percussion Arranger & Caption Head) taught 2 years.
Toledo Glassmen (Percussion Arranger), wrote 2 years
Kingsmen Alumni Corps,(Percussion Arranger & Caption Head) taught 2 years.

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Band Titles include: Tournament of Champions Field Show 3 daytime & 2 nighttime. Savanna Field Show Championship 1 daytime & 1 nighttime. Many Other Field Show Sweepstakes including: Azusa Field pm, Chino Field pm, Mission Viejo Field am & pm, Orange Field pm, etc .

Championship High School Band Teaching History
Esperanza HS, Band Divisional Titles & Major Drum Sweepstakes, taught 2 years.
Magnolia HS, Major Band Sweepstakes & Major Drum Sweepstakes, taught 5 years.
Mater Dei HS, Major Band Sweepstakes & Major Drum Sweepstakes, taught 11 years.
Mission Viejo HS, Band Divisional Titles & Major Drum Sweepstakes, taught 4 years.
Artesia HS, Band Divisional Titles & Runner-up Drum Sweepstakes Titles, taught 6 years.
Dana Hills HS, Band Divisional Sweepstakes & Runner-up Drum Sweepstakes Titles, taught 15 years.
San Clemente HS, Band Divisional Titles & Divisional Drum Sweepstakes Titles, taught 3 years.
Carlsbad HS, Band Divisional Titles & Divisional Drum Titles, taught 6 years.
Vista HS, Band Divisional Titles & Runner-up Drum Sweepstakes Titles, taught 3 years.
El Camino HS, Band Divisional Titles & Major Drum Sweepstakes, taught 14 years.
Los Amigos HS, Band Divisional Titles & Major Drum Sweepstakes, taught 11 years.
Tesoro HS, Band Divisional Titles & Major Drum Sweepstakes Titles, taught 6 years.
Newhart MS, feeder to several top HS's, taught 6 years.