Michael Graham

Music Director

A native of Lewisburg, TN, Michael began his music ministry in 1972 as organist at Trinity Nazarene Church in Nashville, moving to Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Franklin in 1981. He is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University (B.S. in Mus. Ed.) and George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University (M.S. in organ performance). Michael taught in Metro Nashville public schools for 30 years, finishing his last fifteen in the Nashville School of the Arts where he taught choral music and music theory. He has also worked as an adjunct teacher at Trevecca and Fisk Universities.

Michael came to Woodmont in 1986 at the invitation of James Jarrett, one of his former professors at Trevecca. He worked as organist and assistant director to Jim for ten years and was invited to become the director of music in 1996. Since that time, he has directed the Chancel Choir, planned the sanctuary services and has overseen the soloists, musicians and various ensembles of Woodmont and the Nashville community.

Michael says, “It is a privilege to work with the Woodmont staff, the many musically talented members of Woodmont Christian and also the many musicians of our Nashville community who assist us yearly in our worship services. Working with the choir, some of whom have been here longer than I have, has truly been both a privilege and a joy.” Michael’s relationship with God is the motivating factor behind his creativity and long tenure at Woodmont. “God has richly blessed me with salvation, with guidance and a desire to give back to Him through the Woodmont community and beyond. I can never repay the love and mercy God has shown me and my family.”

Michael is married to Cathy Anne Graham, who was an elementary music teacher and who also directed the Woodmont Children Choir and was a soprano soloist/section leader in the Chancel Choir for many years. Cathy Anne continues to sing solos seasonally in worship. Michael and Cathy Anne have two sons, Stephen and Cary, who work in art education and special visual effects, respectively.