Michael Hardey/ Pianist Back in the summer of 1979, Michael’s parents brought home an old piano that they bought at an auction. The very next day, Michael’s mom woke up to the sound of a simple melody coming from the other room. Recognizing the tune, she jumped out of bed to follow the sound. She found Michael, her 4 year old son, sitting at the piano, playing a primary song. The following Sunday, she remembers Mike coming home from church, and again, sitting down at the piano, playing the songs that he heard in primary. This became a regular routine for Michael. It was nonstop from there. Any song that he liked, and remembered, he could sit down and play by ear. Michael's parents quickly acknowledged his gift and started him in piano lessons. After attending one lesson, Michael decided it wasn't for him. Since then, he has solely relied on his "natural ability". Over the years, Michael always had a love for music, but other interests often got in the way of his musical progression. It wasn't until after he graduated from High School that his passion for playing the piano would return. Michael had many opportunities of sharing his musical talent as a tool for preaching the gospel as he served his mission. He had been given the unique assignment by his Mission President to provide background music to video, slides, and narrations for a special Fireside program that would focus on the “Apostasy and Restoration “. He also had the privilege of playing a special arrangement of “How Great the Wisdom and the Love” by request from Elder Neil A. Maxwell while serving his mission. This was a special moment in Michael’s life. Through these and other experiences, Michael realized the influence that music can have on people and the spirit that it can bring into their lives. Mike feels very humbled and blessed for the opportunities he has had to share his talent, and for the unconditional support he receives. Brigham Welch/ Violist Brigham is the youngest of six and comes from a musical family who's talents include piano, violin, cello, trumpet, and accordian. Family Musical Firesides were common in the Welch Family. He has been playing the viola for about 12 years. Brigham received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Music at the California State University of Long Beach. There he studied with LA Phil member John Hayhurst and after graduation has continued his viola studies with another LA Phil member, Minor Wetzel. He is a violist in the Downey Symphony, Burbank Philharmonic, and LA Symphony (which performs in the Walt Disney Concert Hall for their summer concert series). Currently, Brigham is attending the Boston Conservatory of Music where is is working on his "Masters Degree" for Viola performance. He is honored to be receiving his training under the tutelage of Patricia McCarty. Brigham loves music theory and with the knowledge acquired from college, he is happy to use his theory skills with the hymnal arrangements that he and Mike Hardey made for their CD, "The Spirit of God." He thinks that his theory teachers would be proud that one of their students actually used theory outside from just doing their theory homework. Brigham is a passionate violist that is looking to go a long way with music and will never stop learning how to make music even more beautiful. He is eager to touch many lives and give back the love he has received from many through his music. Check us out at our Website: http://hardeyandwelch.com