Though musicians themselves, Mackey's parents did not provide him with music lessons, and he never formally studied an instrument.
Through experimentation with programs intended for entertainment rather than education, Mackey began to compose his own music.
[2] Mackey received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1995 from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with Donald Erb.
"[1] Mackey lived in New York City from 1995 to 2005, where he collaborated frequently with choreographers such as David Parsons, Robert Battle, and Igal Perry.
[6] Then in March 2011, Mackey posted a blog to announce his move to Cambridge, Massachusetts in order for his wife to attend graduate school.