Michael W.

Originally from Frenchburg, Kentucky, Michael has been a musician since his early childhood. Early on, Michael demonstrated a passion for singing in churches. Over the years, he has gone on to explore composing, conducting, and theater. Upon reaching college, Michael discovered and cultivated a passion for conducting and composing choral music, as well as teaching voice. ​Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, Michael’s warm and vibrant tenor voice established him as an up-and-coming tenor soloist throughout the Bluegrass State. Michael’s tenacious conducting style continues to inspire singers around the region to engage in thrilling choral performances, most recently with Voices of Light, a community chamber choir based in Richmond, Kentucky. He has since relocated to his wife’s hometown of Jonestown, Pennsylvania, where he has founded the Cadence Institute and begun performing once again! As a tenor, Michael has sung in a variety of settings, ranging from Gabriel von Eisenstein in Eastern Kentucky University’s production of Die Fledermaus, to Sky Masterson in Kentucky Classic Theatre’s run of Guys and Dolls, to oratorio solos such as Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns and Himmelskönig, sei Willkommen (BWV 182) by J.S. Bach. Michael has performed as a tenor chorister and soloist with the Kentucky Bach Choir, a professional choir based in Lexington, KY, directed by Marlon Hurst. A versatile soloist, Michael has also performed in numerous art song recitals and enjoyed many opportunities as a Gospel soloist in various churches. He has performed in choirs under the direction of notable conductors and composers such as Jeffery Ames, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Jake Runestead, David Greenlee, and Scott Terrell. Michael keeps an active schedule as a conductor, composer, and clinician. He was formerly a graduate conductor at Eastern Kentucky University, where he assisted in the direction of the EKU Choral Ensembles. In 2016, he premiered seven works for solo voice and chamber ensembles at Eastern Kentucky University. Michael completed his most recent commission in 2019, premiering “Seaside” (for SATB Choir) at Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth, Florida. Michael served as the Director of Music Ministry at First Christian Church (DOC) of Georgetown, Kentucky from 2. Michael served as a sabbatical replacement, serving as an Adjunct Instructor of Choral Music at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, where he directed the Concert Choir and taught choral conducting. In 2019, Michael formed the Wellspring chorus, a treble chorus for home school students in Central & Eastern Kentucky. At its height, the chorus currently had over 20 members spanning elementary, middle, and high school grades. Michael received the Bachelor of Music degree with dual emphasis: voice performance and theory/composition as well as the Master of Music degree in choral conducting, both from Eastern Kentucky University. He has studied conducting with Richard Waters, voice with Joyce H. Wolf, composition with Thomas Couvillon and Adam Sovkoplas as well as piano with Richard Crosby and Bernardo Scarambone. Michael has performed in master classes led by Daniel Khoen, Sherri Phelps, Kurt Jennings, Phyllis Jenness, and Barry Lawrence. He holds memberships in the American Choral Directors Association, National Association of Music Educators, and Society of Composers. ​He currently resides in Jonestown, Pennsylvania with his wife, Brittney.