Based out of Long Beach, California, Tim Mikan has quickly proven himself to be a
veritable force in visual design and instruction. He is actively engaged in the arts and
serves as an educator and clinician in numerous formats throughout the United
States. The founder of In-Step Design, he has been a consultant or clinician for more
than thirty organizations that include professional ensembles, both middle and high
schools and colleges. Engaged in drill writing for visual arts ensembles from marching
band to indoor and outdoor color guards, ensembles for which he has written are
routinely recognized as upper echelon performers and have included state and area
champion color guards.
Tim was the Director of Color Guards for both Palm Desert Middle (2004-2008) and
Palm Desert High School (2003-2008). His duties included writing for their numerous
ensembles, teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced color guards as well as
directing the high school Jazz Ensemble 1 and teaching improvisation. Students were
consistently involved in community performances and competitions under his
guidance and were exposed to guest clinicians and performing artists on a routine
basis. Enrollment numbers in the middle school guards jumped from fifteen to ninety-
three within one year of his start in 2004. They have since medaled four times and
recently began competing in high school brackets.
Tim has also served on staff at the internationally revered winter guard Fantasia since
2005. As an equipment technician, he helped them to reach their goal of World
Champion in 2006, silver medal in 2007 and again World Champion in 2008. Prior to his
on-staff appointment, he performed with the ensemble in both 2003 (Bronze) and
2004 (World Champion). In addition, he has performed with the Riverside Community
College Marching Tigers in Riverside, California as well as the Ancient City Ensemble in
St. Augustine, Florida. He is also an administrator for Marching Auxiliaries as a clinic
director and organizes individual programs of instruction for auxiliary camps at
universities and high schools throughout the summer. Tim’s musical endeavors include
numerous courses in music and jazz studies, as well as an invitation to perform at the
1998 International Association of Jazz Educators Annual Convention in New York. His
selection was made from a national pool of applicants to perform with the IAJE
Community College All-star Big Band. He has also performed at the Montreux Jazz
Festival in Switzerland as well as a host of other southeastern venues, and has been a
drum major instructor and adjudicator for numerous competitions and auditions.
Tim currently works as a consultant for various programs and teaches at Mission Viejo
High School, Los Alamitos High School and Riverside Community College.
veritable force in visual design and instruction. He is actively engaged in the arts and
serves as an educator and clinician in numerous formats throughout the United
States. The founder of In-Step Design, he has been a consultant or clinician for more
than thirty organizations that include professional ensembles, both middle and high
schools and colleges. Engaged in drill writing for visual arts ensembles from marching
band to indoor and outdoor color guards, ensembles for which he has written are
routinely recognized as upper echelon performers and have included state and area
champion color guards.
Tim was the Director of Color Guards for both Palm Desert Middle (2004-2008) and
Palm Desert High School (2003-2008). His duties included writing for their numerous
ensembles, teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced color guards as well as
directing the high school Jazz Ensemble 1 and teaching improvisation. Students were
consistently involved in community performances and competitions under his
guidance and were exposed to guest clinicians and performing artists on a routine
basis. Enrollment numbers in the middle school guards jumped from fifteen to ninety-
three within one year of his start in 2004. They have since medaled four times and
recently began competing in high school brackets.
Tim has also served on staff at the internationally revered winter guard Fantasia since
2005. As an equipment technician, he helped them to reach their goal of World
Champion in 2006, silver medal in 2007 and again World Champion in 2008. Prior to his
on-staff appointment, he performed with the ensemble in both 2003 (Bronze) and
2004 (World Champion). In addition, he has performed with the Riverside Community
College Marching Tigers in Riverside, California as well as the Ancient City Ensemble in
St. Augustine, Florida. He is also an administrator for Marching Auxiliaries as a clinic
director and organizes individual programs of instruction for auxiliary camps at
universities and high schools throughout the summer. Tim’s musical endeavors include
numerous courses in music and jazz studies, as well as an invitation to perform at the
1998 International Association of Jazz Educators Annual Convention in New York. His
selection was made from a national pool of applicants to perform with the IAJE
Community College All-star Big Band. He has also performed at the Montreux Jazz
Festival in Switzerland as well as a host of other southeastern venues, and has been a
drum major instructor and adjudicator for numerous competitions and auditions.
Tim currently works as a consultant for various programs and teaches at Mission Viejo
High School, Los Alamitos High School and Riverside Community College.
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Biography
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“Tim Mikan's work is first
rate, on time, and very
well thought out. Tim
brings a creative
approach to drill design
while keeping the entire
visual package in
mind. I have used Tim
several times in various
capacities and have
always been very
happy with how well it
all comes together. If
your group is young or
very experienced, Tim
will build a package
that is sure to bring
success.”
- Dennis Crystal,
Director of instrumental
Music,
Newbury Park High
School
rate, on time, and very
well thought out. Tim
brings a creative
approach to drill design
while keeping the entire
visual package in
mind. I have used Tim
several times in various
capacities and have
always been very
happy with how well it
all comes together. If
your group is young or
very experienced, Tim
will build a package
that is sure to bring
success.”
- Dennis Crystal,
Director of instrumental
Music,
Newbury Park High
School
Testimonials