Finding Harmony Beyond the Office: Mark Michael’s Musical Journey
In the hustle of Seattle’s tech scene, Mark Michael stands out not just as the co-founder and CEO of DevHub, but as someone who has found an unexpected source of joy and fulfillment beyond his professional life. About five years ago, Michael embarked on a musical journey that would take him from a complete beginner to a performer with a growing passion for the piano and singing. His story is a testament to the importance of pursuing creative outlets that complement our working lives.
Michael’s path to musical expression began just before the pandemic when he decided to take piano lessons. Unlike many executives who might unwind by watching sports on weekends, he gravitated toward the fine arts. After consistent practice and dedication, his teacher encouraged him to participate in a recital, insisting it was the best way to improve. This led to a somewhat comical scene: a 43-year-old Michael performing alongside children in his teacher’s backyard about three years ago. “When I played that concert and my two songs on piano, I’m telling you, I thought I was Elton John or Liberace,” Michael recalls with amusement. “It was 11 a.m. on a Saturday, I’m wearing a black tuxedo. My head was so big.” The experience, despite its humble setting, gave him a taste of performance that would fuel his continued musical pursuits.
Not content with mastering just one form of musical expression, Michael also took singing lessons with the same teacher. Recently, he hosted a performance for approximately 80 people in Seattle. With characteristic humility and humor, he describes his singing as “horrible, horrible, horrible,” yet notes that “the audience kind of liked it, because they couldn’t tell if it was real. Something was weird there.” This self-deprecating assessment speaks to Michael’s refreshing lack of pretension despite his professional success. His musical journey continues to evolve, with an upcoming concert scheduled for September 26 in Kennebunkport, Maine—a vacation destination he came to love with his wife. He describes the planned performance as a blend of Dean Martin and ’80s synth sounds, and has even playfully extended an invitation to former President George W. Bush.
Despite the anxiety and discomfort he feels during performances, Michael finds profound reward in pushing through these challenges. He compares the feeling after a performance to the satisfaction of completing a race or any difficult task—”It’s a release of all the tension,” he explains. “And once it’s done, that high, whatever you want to call it, it’s like, ‘Oh, wow.'” This sentiment reflects the universal truth that growth often comes from embracing discomfort and persevering through challenges, whether in the boardroom or on stage. The parallel between performing music and leading a tech company isn’t lost on Michael, who recognizes that both require dedication, practice, and the courage to put oneself in vulnerable positions.
The focus required to play piano has proven beneficial for Michael’s work at DevHub. He notes that when playing well, he sometimes gets ahead of himself, dreaming of grand success like “selling out Madison Square Garden.” His professional responsibilities help ground these flights of fancy, bringing him back to reality and the importance of focusing on “the thing” right in front of him. This interplay between creative ambition and practical execution creates a balanced approach that serves him in both spheres. The discipline required to master musical skills—consistent practice, attention to detail, patience with the learning process—translates directly to the persistence needed to build and lead a successful tech startup.
Perhaps most importantly, Michael’s musical pursuits fill what could otherwise be an empty space between workweeks. Instead of extending his work into weekends or engaging in passive activities, music provides “some element of a different kind of brain” that refreshes him before Monday arrives. “What am I going to do, work by myself through the weekend? Am I going to stalk people on LinkedIn?” he jokes. This healthy separation between professional and personal pursuits allows him to return to work energized and with perspective. Michael’s experience highlights how cultivating interests outside of our professional identities can make us more well-rounded, creative, and resilient individuals. His musical journey serves as an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to learn something new, push personal boundaries, and find fulfillment in unexpected places—even if that means donning a tuxedo for a backyard recital among children or inviting a former president to hear your Dean Martin impression.
