A Regis faculty member since 2020, Mr. Michael Barber serves as the music teacher for all divisions at Regis. He holds a master’s degree in education from Western Governors University, a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Rhode Island, and several professional certificates in education and languages.

Mr. Barber has over 28 years of experience in independent, charter, and public schools. Prior to joining the faculty at Regis, he taught at the Washington International School in Washington, D.C., The Ridgefield Academy in Connecticut, and The Village School in Houston. In addition to serving as a classroom teacher, Mr. Barber also provides music for Regis’ morning assemblies, masses, and special events. Outside of school, he is an active music minister and professional performer. 

A proud family man, Mr. Barber enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Beth, and his children, Meghan, Mason, and Alex. He is also a nature enthusiast and loves to camp, hike, and fish.

Q: Which of the five Sacred Heart Goals inspires you the most?

A: Goal I – a personal and active faith in God. I appreciate that Regis allows me the opportunity every day to practice my faith and find ways to be closer to God. I also appreciate that I can help our boys guide their own faith journeys in an inclusive environment. 

Q: What do you love most about Regis?

A: Oh, the community, hands down.

I’ve taught in many different areas of the country but have never found a community quite like Regis. I enjoy seeing all our groups, including the student body, parents, faculty, staff, or administration, act as one giant community and support one another. It’s remarkable! 

Q: What is your favorite place on campus?

A: I have two favorite places. First, I like sitting behind my piano in my classroom and getting the chance to just play for pleasure. Second, I like sitting at the teacher’s table on the playground during recess and breaks. The people who work at Regis are incredibly smart and have a vast array of experience. I learn something from them all the time. At times, our conversations lead to us finding new opportunities to support one another, whether professionally or personally. 

Q: If you were given a superlative by the boys here at Regis, what would it be?

A: Probably most likely to tell a story. Some classes have what we just call “story time,” and part of that is just because I’ve been around forever. I know many people, so I have a lot of stories I can tell the boys to add context to the day’s lesson.

Q: What do you admire most about your colleagues?

A: First and foremost, they’re all very passionate. Regis has some of the most intelligent human beings I have ever known walking on this campus. And sometimes, when you sit down and have a one-on-one conversation with them, you’re blown away by how much they know. We have people who are truly experts in their field.

Q: What is your favorite class or project?

A: I have a deep and abiding love for when we can do anything that touches on indigenous or cultural music. I enjoy discussing music history and exposing the boys to new genres, especially during affinity celebration months like Black History Month, Native American Heritage Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.
 
The boys are going to learn so much about Mozart and Beethoven in high school, but I pride myself on being able to expose them to music from other cultures. I like exposing the boys to songs in different languages as often as possible. For example, many of my boys know “Jambo Bwana,” a Swahili welcoming song they learn in kindergarten and refine throughout first and second grade. This song sticks with them, and I love that.

Q: What is your “trapped on a desert island” book or movie?

A: I would want the entire John Sanford library. And the whole reason why is because there are 40 books in the collection and they are all crime novels, which I love!  

Q: What was the first concert you attended?

The very first concert I ever attended was Three Dog Night at a roller-skating rink in Rhode Island. 

Q: Coffee or Tea? And how do you like it?

A: Coffee with a little cream. No sugar, no fluff, no nothing.

Q: Name the best item or gadget you purchased from Amazon?

A: Well, I love to smoke meat, especially when I go camping. But I hate the scent of charcoal grill lighter fluid. So, my wife bought me the Bernzomatic Propane Torch from Amazon as a Valentine’s Day gift so I can quickly light charcoal and start campfires without the smell of lighter fluid. I mean, nothing says love like a propane. 

Q: If you could travel back in time to live, what period of history would you choose?

A: I would go back to the Renaissance. The music of the Renaissance was so divergent and different. What is so fascinating is how all these European cultures and societies had their own variation and styles of music and art. And I guess there’s a part of me that would love to tell these artists that their art would live on for centuries and shape the course of history forever.