J. Michael Karr (Puskar)

Michael and his family moved from the West Coast in 1993 to attend Florida Baptist Theological College, in Graceville, FL, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music. He then continued on to Southern Seminary, in Louisville, KY, where he attained a Masters of Arts in Worship. However, Michael’s education in the arts began with the violin when he was nine years old. Under the influence of his father, Doug Karr, a highly proclaimed and sought after musician during San Francisco’s rise in fame and growing up in the environment of their family-owned music store in Marin County, California, Michael experienced an extensive training in both music and performance by some of the world’s most skilled musicians and mentors. These included Hugo Rinaldi, the San Francisco Symphony, solo vocalist baritone Byron Jones, pianist Warren Lubbich, as well as his father and others. It is only natural that his passion and love of the arts would lead him to pursue opportunities to equip others in the same manner. Though he has a broad instrumental proficiency, the guitar is his instrument of choice.

Michael and his wife Netta have been married twenty-nine years and have two adult children. Jeremey, his wife Amanda and their three children, Ella, Kayleigh, and Ethan.  They reside in Birmingham, AL. Cassie, her husband David and their 4 children Ethan, Ayden, Davey, and Noah. They reside in Sewanee, TN.  Michael is Ordained, Licensed and has over thirty-five years combined experience in both performance and pedagogy in which over twenty of the later years were faithfully served in local churches as a Music Minister/Worship Pastor. In 2008, Michael established the Fine Arts at the Beach Academy for the purpose of providing the finest quality instruction available in the fine arts disciplines. Recently they have sold that store and have opened a new store and school in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Their music store and school in Sewanee, TN offers pro audio and lighting gear, musical instruments, accessories, an instrument rental program, and instrument repair department to compliment their comprehensive music education program. In addition he is continuing to pursue his passions with song writing for his music project entitled “Out of the Dark" as well as a worship project.

Coming soon he will launching a curriculum based video lesson series of music education for multiple instruments!  Other projects would include helping churches launch Music and Arts Academy's.

Michaels wife Netta, was born in Brush, Colorado, and was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was when Netta moved north, to Virginia City, Nevada where she met Michael at his family's dinner house and jazz club. After a short time they married and began their journey together in their pursuit of ministry. In 1993 they moved to Graceville, Florida where Netta received a Spouse's Diploma from Florida Theological College. During the years of education and following Netta worked in property management. Her professional accomplishments include: planting a church, inner-city Bible studies, community ministry projects, Cam Management license, and a Real Estate License. Along with her heart for family and ministry she expresses a passion in the art of music signing where she interprets Christ's message in song. Something surely to be seen.
 
Netta and Michael have been married thirty years and have two adult children. Jeremey, his wife Amanda and their three children, Ella, Kayleigh, and Ethan.  They reside in Birmingham, AL. Cassie, her husband David and their 4 children Ethan, Ayden, Davey, and Noah. They reside in Sewanee, TN.
 
Netta is the Director of Operations and Administrator for all the projects!  We look forward to meet you and travel this music journey with you.

for "Music Is What Life Sounds Like"