Michael was born in Stratford on the side of the mountain in Taranaki, New Zealand, and started playing saxophone at age 14. He began studies at Victoria University with Deborah Rawson, where he was a winner in the first annual 'Duo Competition'.
After continuing with post-praduate studies at Massey University/NZSM (completing with first-class honours) he went on to receive a Massey University 'Cultural Award' and the Patricia Pratt Music Scolarship enabling him to further his study in The Netherlands at the Messiaen Academie with Johan van der Linden, saxophone professor at the Conservatoria of Enschede and Utrecht, member of the world famous Netherlands Wind Ensemble and Aurelia Saxophone Quartet.
A founding member of the Duvel Saxophone Quartet, and member of Saxcess (from 2001), Michael has also performed with gateseven (contemporary music ensemble), the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and in the Netherlands with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Nederlands Bach Ensemble, Jonge NBE, the Nederlands Jeugd Fanfare Orkest and the Nederlands Jeugd Harmonie Orkest. Michael performs regularly with the ArtEZ/HKU saxophone ensemble, with concerts including a live radio broadcast from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
In February 2006, Michael performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance’s biennial conference, performing new New Zealand works for saxophone quartet with Saxcess, and recently performed his own composition with Duet d’Ocells (with Harmke Seinen) at the World Saxophone Congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Shortly before leaving for the Netherlands, In November 2003, Michael Performed 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 also holds the Performer's Certificate (91%) and ATCL Diploma from Trinity College London. He has participated in the Amsterdam International Saxophone Week, and attended the Université Européene d'été pour le saxophone in Gap, France.
Michael recently 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, Etienne Rolin, and Jean-Marie Londeix.
