Frost Middle School Instrumental Music
Building Musicians, Leaders, and Lifelong Learners
About Mr. Rais...
About Michael J. Rais
Director of Music, Frost Middle School
Michael J. Rais is a Livonia Public Schools alumnus and the Director of Music at Frost Middle School, where he teaches band, orchestra, and guitar. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Wayne State University in 2006, where he attended on a full Music Talent Award scholarship. He later completed his Master of Music Education degree at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.
Since joining Livonia Public Schools in 2007, Mr. Rais has built a career centered on student growth, musical excellence, and creating meaningful performance opportunities for young musicians. He was named Livonia Public Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2015-2016 school year and has been nominated for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award in both 2018 and 2022.
Mr. Rais has presented at the Michigan Music Conference and the American String Teachers Association National Conference on the topic “Incorporating Rock and Roll in the Classical Setting.” His teaching has also been supported through grants from the Livonia Public Schools Foundation and Bright House Networks, allowing his students to connect with composers, performers, educators, and classrooms across the country through technology-based music experiences.
In addition to his work as an educator, Mr. Rais is an active professional bassist, arranger, and performer. He performs on both electric bass and double bass and has performed throughout North America with numerous artists and ensembles, including Motown and classic vocal groups, orchestras, wind ensembles, string quartets, and commercial music projects. His mentors include Roger Rais, Denny Finney, Al Martin, Derek Weller, Maxim Janowsky, Stephen Molina, and Craig Rifel.
Mr. Rais is a co-founder and bassist of Il Segreto String Quartet, which received Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Small Ensemble in 2014 and 2016. He has also arranged music for professional and educational ensembles, with a focus on bringing popular music into string orchestra and full orchestra settings. His work has been performed by the Flint Symphony, Northwestern Symphony, and many school ensembles.
He is a member of professional music organizations including MSBOA, ASTA, MMEA, and the International Society of Bassists. He is also an endorsed artist with GHS Strings and Michael Kelly Guitars.
He is also the co-founder of the Detroit Bass Federation, and adjunct Bass professor at Henry Ford College.
Outside of music, Mr. Rais enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessie Mills-Rais, who is also a music educator, and his daughters, Ani and Amelia. He enjoys coffee, bowling, hockey, baseball, football, watches, and motorsports.
Pronunciation: Rais is pronounced “Race,” like race car.