Mike Manny

A first-generation Canadian of Caribbean/West Indian descent, Mike Manny was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He was immersed in the world of music at the tender age of 4 years old with the Humber College – Music Education for Children Program. He continued his music training throughout high school at the Etobicoke School of the Arts, post-secondary education at Humber College, and eventually, graduate studies at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

After studying in NYC, Mike returned to Toronto where he freelanced throughout Southern Ontario performing in various jazz settings and local Salsa bands. After starting his military career in the Artillery Reserves, Mike transferred to the Regular Force as a full-time musician, where as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, he has travelled the world performing music.

No longer with the music trade, Mike currently resides in Ottawa working in Information Management at the National Defence Headquarters. In addition to his military career, Mike is a freelance musician in Ottawa and surrounding areas where he has been able to perform with many groups within the community – including online/virtual performances due to the pandemic, and in-person settings as venues start to re-open.

Mike is also an avid night-rated pilot, and likes to volunteer his time with the youth of the local Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron where he teaches the cadets proper drill, dress, and deportment. However most importantly, he is the administrator of the squadron’s Power Familiarization Program where he regularly takes cadets flying in order to encourage them into aviation, and hopefully inspires them to pursue their own pilot’s license.