JUSTIN J. MAIKE

Composer, Audio Producer and Music Educator based in Denver, Colorado.


Professional Experience

Technical Director, Colorado College Music Department
2019 – 2024 | Colorado Springs, CO

  • Taught courses in Digital Audio, Engineering, Mixing, and Mastering.
  • Supervised student employees, mentored students, and managed a Dante audio network across multiple studios and recording halls.
  • Produced audio and video for top classical artists, broadcasting through NPR and PBS.
  • Developed video tutorial series and workshops for distance learning, and served as faculty advisor for the Music Production Club.

Audio Engineer & Projectionist, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
2017 – 2019 | Denver, CO

  • Mixed live sound for artists and community events.
  • Managed A/V equipment, including PA systems and projectors.
  • Supported private events and film premieres with audio and visual production.

Experience Board, TEDxMileHigh
2019 | Denver, CO

  • Created immersive 19.1 surround sound installations.
  • Coordinated talent and projects with local universities and organizations.
 

Teaching Experience

Mentorship & Supervision

  • Mentored diverse students in audio engineering, production, and creative development.
  • Created instructional video content, hosted workshops, and led a student production club.

Event & Project Coordination

  • Collaborated with universities and local organizations, managing events and educational projects.
  • Advised and led students on technical and creative projects, blending hands-on learning with practical skills.


Personal Background

Born in Detroit, I’ve spent the last decade living in Denver. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and am currently finishing an MFA in Music Composition at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. I have traveled extensively, visiting Europe twice and exploring almost every state in the U.S. I’m also a proud parent to a daughter who is an artist herself. Outside of work, I enjoy producing electronic music under the name Deth Rali and managing my recording studio space. 

 

Music Career with Deth Rali

As the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter behind Deth Rali, I blend shoegaze, synthpop, and darkwave into immersive soundscapes. Our latest album, Ruby’s Castle Island, was featured in Rolling Stone Español (July 2024) and described as “a rock opera with synthesizers.” Inspired by the cinematic worlds of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, the album combines 80s-inspired synths, dreamy atmospheres, and raw emotion to tell the story of a girl seeking adventure.

Following the release, Deth Rali toured the Midwest and played at some of Denver’s best clubs, earning praise for our immersive, theatrical live shows. Our lineup includes multi-instrumentalist Wes Hughes, vocalist Jamie Fox (Snarklet), bassist Hunter Bates, and drummer Nathan Rodriguez. Together, we bring Ruby’s Castle Island to life, blending genres and pushing creative boundaries.

Rolling Stone Espanol
May 2024
“Ruby’s Castle Island blends shoegaze, synthpop, and darkwave into what is described as a rock opera with synthesizers.” The album pushes creative boundaries, offering a mystical blend of 80’s inspired synths and raw emotion.”

303 Magazine
October 2024
“Ruby’s Castle Island is a captivating, fairytale-like experience. From the cosmic synth layers of the opening track to the haunting soundscapes of Lady Dowager, Deth Rali creates an immersive world filled with emotional highs. The album showcases the band’s ability to navigate between genres while maintaining a cohesive sound.”

Pillow Princess Press
July 2024
“Ruby’s Castle Island stands out in today’s music landscape for its ability to merge diverse genres into a cohesive, compelling listening experience. “It feels like a breath of fresh air in a music scene full of repetition.”


Education

MFA in Music Composition (In Progress)
Vermont College of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science/History
University of Michigan-Dearborn, 2012

Video Production Certificate Program
Boulder Digital Arts, 2020

My contact address is: [email protected]

© 2024 Jay Maike