He took additional studies at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.
Mickelthwate served as Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony through the 2003–2004 season.
He was promoted to Associate Conductor for the 2006–2007 season and concluded his Los Angeles tenure in August 2007.
[3] In February 2006, Mickelthwate was named the music director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), and took up the post in September 2006, with an initial contract of 3 years.
[11] Mickelthwate and the fashion designer Abigail Camp married in 1997, and they have two sons.