Born in New Zealand in 1961, Michael began music studies on piano with his grandmother and horn with his father, Hugh. In 1977 he moved to Australia and started his professional career in earnest as a horn player with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra after working as a casual with the Sydney Symphony.

Michael studied for six months in Europe then returned to his native country where he worked as a teacher and played with the Auckland Philharmonia. Following two years with the West Australian Orchestra, Michael performed as a Principal Horn in the Queensland Orchestra from 2001 to 2006. He is currently a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong, freelances as a horn player – often playing Principal Horn in the Australia Opera and Ballet Orchestra – as well as teaching at St George Girls’ School and the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music.

Michael has continued his music studies – spending three years learning tabla with Dr. Tarlochan Singh – and in 2001 received the award of Master of Music in Contemporary Musicology at the Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. A private music study with John Gilfedder followed and in 2005 Michael was awarded his MPhil degree in composition from the University of Queensland.

A strong interest in music composition has developed since 1996. Michael composes for his ensemble Locana (Flute, violin, horn and cello) and has written a number of songs, along with works for brass ensembles, horn ensembles, percussion duo and ensembles, string quartets, orchestras, concert bands and music theatre.