Mike Staron began his performing career in 1971 at age fifteen playing in Latin Tropical bands in Chicago's Pilsen area. In 2007 Mike logged in 268 live gigs outside of any steady theater work. Staron holds a Master of Music (Jazz Pedagogy) Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music (Composition) DePaul University. Currently he is a Lecturer at DePaul University, an Instructor at Triton College and adjunct faculty at Benedictine University.