Music at the Core: Mitch Fedie’s Journey from Passion to Profession

Music has always been a central part of Mitch Fedie’s life—whether he’s singing, playing instruments, writing songs, or producing recordings.

Fedie jumped at the opportunity when a friend told him last year that a new band was looking for a lead singer. The group, Saffron Band, is scheduled to perform at MiraCosta College’s inaugural Alumnipalooza on June 7 at the Oceanside Campus.

Fedie, who earned a certificate in music technology last spring and is now pursuing a degree in MiraCosta’s music performance program, said joining the band has allowed him to showcase his talents while earning an income.

“I’m looking to make my passions provide a stable income—while having fun and doing what I love,” he said.

Saffron Band’s drummer, Garet Speakman, described the group as offering a "modern luxury music experience" at an accessible price.

“Music is our passion, but this business has become a passion for us too,” Speakman said.

In addition to vocals, Fedie plays guitar and saxophone. Originally from Minneapolis, he moved to San Diego after visiting on vacation at age 35 and deciding to stay. At the time, he was working at Trader Joe’s and transferred to a store in San Diego County.

Eventually, Fedie left Trader Joe’s to focus fully on music. He enrolled at MiraCosta College after struggling to mix a recording he had created with a band.

“I realized I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said. “MiraCosta had a recording arts program, and I decided to make that my new profession.”

He now operates Oceanside Music Studios, a home-based recording business.

Fedie credits MiraCosta’s music faculty with enriching his educational experience by connecting students to the professional world. Instructor Dan Siegel invited students to observe a recording session at a Los Angeles studio, while Instructor Matt Falker brought students to one of his live performances at a venue in El Cajon.

“It’s really cool stuff that enriches students’ lives and prepares them for a future in music performance,” Fedie said.

Fedie also works part-time at MiraCosta as a campus aide for the music program, helping set up events, producing videos, and installing audio equipment.

“It’s a great place to apply what I learned in music tech—and also to keep learning new things every day,” he said.