Alumni Profiles
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson ’98
“The emphasis at Crossroads on being kind and caring about the people around you continues to be central to everything I do.”
When Miguel arrived at Crossroads in 10th grade, he was already a self-proclaimed “music fanatic” and accomplished musician, having studied violin since the age of four. Yet he credits his years at Crossroads with providing some of the foundational moments in his training.
Miguel played viola and electric bass while at Crossroads. He was a member of several jazz bands as well as the chamber orchestra that became the Elizabeth Mandell Music Institute shortly after his graduation. During his years at the School, he found teachers who were both mentors and friends, adults who guided his development and also valued his empathy and wisdom as a young person. He recalled, “Being encouraged to compose and having my music played by the orchestra at a young age was a special experience. But even more important was learning how to work with other musicians and cultivate an environment where we enjoyed playing together and appreciated one another. The emphasis at Crossroads on being kind and caring about the people around you continues to be central to everything I do.”
Miguel graduated from USC with a degree in viola performance and has developed a career as a multi- instrumentalist, composer, arranger, music director, producer and educator. His music can be heard in films and television shows and on over 600 albums. He has performed in thousands of live concerts around the world, working with music legends including Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Smokey Robinson, Wayne Shorter, Billy Higgins, Dr. Dre and many others.
Recently, Miguel arranged and orchestrated works by Hiatus Kaiyote and Flying Lotus that were performed at the Hollywood Bowl. He was commissioned to create an orchestral tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City Series. Later this year, Brainfeeder Records will release the first album of his original music, “Les Jardins Mystiques,” and he has plans for several more. Miguel still makes his home in Los Angeles and, as the father of a 3-year-old son, always seeks a balance between his musical career and his family.
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Miguel played viola and electric bass while at Crossroads. He was a member of several jazz bands as well as the chamber orchestra that became the Elizabeth Mandell Music Institute shortly after his graduation. During his years at the School, he found teachers who were both mentors and friends, adults who guided his development and also valued his empathy and wisdom as a young person. He recalled, “Being encouraged to compose and having my music played by the orchestra at a young age was a special experience. But even more important was learning how to work with other musicians and cultivate an environment where we enjoyed playing together and appreciated one another. The emphasis at Crossroads on being kind and caring about the people around you continues to be central to everything I do.”
Miguel graduated from USC with a degree in viola performance and has developed a career as a multi- instrumentalist, composer, arranger, music director, producer and educator. His music can be heard in films and television shows and on over 600 albums. He has performed in thousands of live concerts around the world, working with music legends including Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Smokey Robinson, Wayne Shorter, Billy Higgins, Dr. Dre and many others.
Recently, Miguel arranged and orchestrated works by Hiatus Kaiyote and Flying Lotus that were performed at the Hollywood Bowl. He was commissioned to create an orchestral tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City Series. Later this year, Brainfeeder Records will release the first album of his original music, “Les Jardins Mystiques,” and he has plans for several more. Miguel still makes his home in Los Angeles and, as the father of a 3-year-old son, always seeks a balance between his musical career and his family.
