Big Shot Records, a program of The Michael V. Holdt Music Foundation uses the foundation’s resources to enrich the lives of autistic individuals and people with intellectual, developmental, physical, and other disabilities by unlocking the transformative power of music and the arts. Through individualized instruction, creative expression, and inclusive community experiences, we develop confidence, communication, independence, and life skills while fostering meaningful relationships, celebrating individual talents, and creating opportunities for every participant to thrive as valued members of their community.
The Big Shot Records Program, a program of The Michael V. Holdt Music Foundation, is a community-based life skills and music development program designed for autistic adults and individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical, and other disabilities. Through the transformative power of music and the arts, participants develop confidence, communication, independence, social skills, emotional wellness, and practical life skills in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment.
Our program combines individualized instruction, community experiences, creative expression, and evidence-informed life skills training to help participants achieve greater independence and become active, engaged members of their communities. Whether learning a musical instrument, participating in a drum circle, developing money management skills, building friendships, or performing in community events, every activity is designed to promote personal growth, self-advocacy, and meaningful achievement.
At Big Shot Records, we believe every individual possesses unique abilities waiting to be discovered. By creating opportunities for creativity, collaboration, leadership, and community participation, we empower participants to build lasting relationships, celebrate their talents, and experience the confidence and purpose that come from learning, creating, and contributing through music and the arts.
Michael is the Executive Vice-President for the Michael V. Holdt Music Foundation. He is an award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, educator, and vocal coach whose lifelong dedication to music serves as the foundation of his commitment to empowering autistic adults and individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical, and other disabilities through creative expression. With decades of experience as a performer, teacher, mentor, broadcaster, and communicator, he brings a unique combination of artistic excellence and individualized instruction to the Big Shot Records program of The Michael V. Holdt Music Foundation. As a former Assistant Director and Master Teacher at the renowned House of Voice in Beverly Hills, California, Michael has mentored students of diverse ages, abilities, and experience levels, helping each individual develop confidence, communication skills, vocal ability, and personal expression through a supportive, strengths-based learning environment.
Blessed with an exceptional five-octave vocal range and remarkable falsetto, Michael believes music is one of the most powerful forms of self-expression and human connection. His passion for music began in childhood through singing, school choirs, and studying many of the world’s great vocalists. These early experiences shaped his belief that music inspires confidence, encourages communication, reduces anxiety, and fosters meaningful personal growth. Throughout his career, he has performed as a lead vocalist in multiple musical genres at concert halls, stadiums, churches, and community venues, encouraging creativity, teamwork, and artistic achievement. Michael’s professional background also includes more than two decades as a respected radio personality and broadcaster, where he developed exceptional communication, listening, interviewing, and public engagement skills. As co-host of The Business of Music podcast, he mentors aspiring musicians by sharing practical knowledge about the music industry, career development, and creative success. His experience extends beyond performance into coaching, leadership, program development, and helping others recognize and achieve their personal goals.
Michael’s lifelong commitment to education, mentorship, and the transformative power of music uniquely qualifies him to develop and deliver programs that promote communication, confidence, creativity, self-expression, social engagement, and life skills. Through individualized instruction and inclusive musical experiences, he empowers participants to discover their abilities, build independence, develop meaningful relationships, and experience the personal fulfillment that music can bring throughout their lives.
Michael V. Holdt is the CEO and Founder of the Michael V. Holdt Music Foundation. He brings more than four decades of professional experience as a musician, educator, performer, mentor, band manager, consultant, inventor, and author to the Big Shot Records program of The Michael V. Holdt Music Foundation. His lifelong passion for music and commitment to helping others discover their unique abilities through creative expression form the foundation of the program’s person-centered approach to serving autistic adults and individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical, and other disabilities. His musical journey began in childhood, first studying the violin before discovering a lifelong passion for percussion at age seven. Under the guidance of his first drum instructor, a physicist, Michael developed an appreciation for individualized learning, curiosity, creativity, and adapting instruction to different learning styles—principles that continue to guide his teaching today.
Michael studied with world-renowned percussionists including George Huttlin, Marshall Maley, Buddy Rich, and Louis Bellson, and in 1983 received First Prize in Classical Timpani at the Vienna International Music Festival. Throughout his career, he has performed, collaborated, managed, or consulted with internationally recognized artists including Prince, Carlos Santana, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Tormé, James Taylor, Wynton Marsalis, Steve Marcus, and members of the Jersey Boys production. His experience spans classical, jazz, rock, funk, Latin, and popular music, while his teaching philosophy emphasizes patience, encouragement, kindness, discipline, and respect. He believes every individual possesses unique abilities that can be developed through supportive instruction, building confidence, communication, concentration, self-expression, perseverance, teamwork, and personal achievement.
In 2002, Michael authored a comprehensive Career Guidebook for musicians, reflecting his extensive experience as a performer, band manager, consultant, agent, and business owner. As an inventor and designer of percussion instruments and digital music technologies, he continues to explore innovative ways to make music engaging and accessible for learners of all abilities.
While on the East Coast, he mentored two different autistic young adults. Using his percussion skills, he successfully taught one who was blind to play a jazz drum set fluently and taught the other to play a practice pad with drumsticks. Whenever the young man played on the practice pad with his sticks, he was able to have a conversation with his mother, which he had never been able to do previously. This inspired Michael to innovate ways of helping people with autism.
Michael’s professional experience, educational background, leadership, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of music uniquely qualify him to lead programs that empower autistic adults and individuals with developmental disabilities to develop confidence, independence, meaningful life skills, and a lasting sense of accomplishment through participation in music and the arts.