Bio
Michael was born in Taranaki, New Zealand, and started playing saxophone at age 14. He began studies in 2000 at Victoria University with Deborah Rawson, where he was a winner in the first annual ‘Duo Competition’.
After continuing with post-graduate studies at Massey University/NZSM (completing with first-class honours), receiving a Massey University ‘Cultural Award’, a Creative NZ study grant and the Patricia Pratt Music Scholarship, Michael went to study in the Messiaen Academie’s Master course with Johan van der Linden, soprano saxophonist of the world-renowned Aurelia Saxophone Quartet. During this time, Michael undertook 3 months of intensive study in France at the Conservatoire National de Région de Strasbourg with leading contemporary saxophonist Philippe Geiss, where he also participated in masterclasses and performances with Ellipsos Saxophone Quartet, composer/saxophonist Etienne Rolin, and Jean-Marie Londeix.
While studying in the Netherlands, he was invited to perform with all the National Youth Wind Orchestras (Jonge NBE, Nederlands Jeugd Fanfare Orkest and Nederlands Jeugd Harmonie Orkest), and since completing his Master of Music in 2007 performs regularly with top Dutch Orchestras including the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Radio Kamer Filharmonie, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In 2006 Michael was invited to perform as soloist with the Nederlands Bach Ensemble.
Michael was a member of Saxcess (from 2001) which performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance’s biennial conference, performing new New Zealand works for saxophone quartet, and performed his own composition with Duet d’Ocells (with Harmke Seinen) at the World Saxophone Congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Michael is a founding member of the Hanumi Saxophone Quartet which, in its relatively short time together, has already broadcast on Dutch radio and their concert in the Middleburg Chamber Music Festival (with oboist Bart Schneemann and percussionist Ruud Roelofsen) was featured on Dutch television. Hanumi Saxophone Quartet has regularly programmed NZ music, including Michael Vinten, Gareth Farr, Michael Norris and Ross Harris.
In 2003, shortly before leaving for the Netherlands, Michael performed as soloist with Nova Strings (conductor Christine Archer) Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto, and in 2001 toured Canada as a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir.
Michael holds the Performer’s Certificate (91%) and ATCL Diploma from Trinity College London and took lessons at the Amsterdam International Saxophone Week and the Université Européene d’été pour le saxophone in Gap, France.
In addition to saxophone playing and teaching, Michael is a painter, composer, arranger, photographer and plays the Great Highland Bagpipes.