Biography

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Michael made a start to his musical journey during his time in Sydney, Australia at the age of eight on the clarinet only as a hobby, later making the decision to pursuit career in music at age fifteen.

He is a graduate and a commencing student of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where he studied under Nicholas Cox, Lyndsey Marsh, Antonio Salguero and Matthew Hunt and will continue his Masters course under Gabor Varga. During his time at the RNCM, he was a nominee of the Hallé Orchestra Professional Experience Scheme, a finalist for Gold Medal award, appeared as a soloist with the Wind Orchestra, , and also performed as a Principal Clarinet for multiple project including Mahler 5 Symphony Orchestra project, which was featured on BBC Radio 3. Outside college, he has been appointed as Principal Clarinet for the  Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra for their 2019/20 season, participated and performed with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra as part of the Academy programme, performed in the Last Night of the Proms as a principal clarinet of the BBC Proms Youth Ensemble. His diverse experience in orchestra led him to work with world renowned conductors like Pavvo Jarvi, Vasily Petrenko, Sakari Oramo and Sir Mark Elder.

Michael is most grateful for the Giles Thomas Lyth Scholarship he was granted to study at the RNCM for his Bachelor’s degree and for Musicians’ Company award for supporting his postgraduate studies.

Musicians’ Company Award: Musicians’ Company Award 2019

Photograph: Tom Gradwell

Page Updated: Nov 2019