Michael began playing at the age of 8 with the Gawthorpe ’85 junior band. After a short time Michael was invited to become the Principal Euphonium of Rothwell Temperance Band. In just 5 years, Michael and the band had a meteoric rise from the 4^th section to the championship section. During this time Michael gained a reputation as a very good euphonium player both in the band and especially as a soloist.

On returning from a summer tour of Canada, which culminated with a solo performance at the International Military Tattoo of Nova Scotia in 2000, Michael moved to Manchester to take a place at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Steven Mead, Bob Childs and latterly David Thornton. He was offered the position of Principal Euphonium with the Williams Fairey Band. Having made two acclaimed performances at the British Open and the Nationals with the band Michael then moved back to Yorkshire and took up the 2^nd Euphonium position with the YBS band. Michael said “Sitting next to Morgan Griffiths was a chance to fulfill a lifelong ambition. I think Morgan is a fantastic player and I learned a lot from those 12 months."

In the January of 2002 Michael was given the job as Principal Euphonium with the YBS band. As well as several critically acclaimed solo performances and CD recordings, Michael was part of the bands amazing contest run. Michael has 8 Major contest wins including 4 European titles.

Michael is now settling in to life as the Principal Euphonium player with the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band. He is already impressing audiences and band colleagues alike with his technically superb, but always lyrical ,solo playing and especially with his stunning performance at the 2006 Festival of Brass at the RNCM.

Michael is also very busy as a soloist. He has several booking with brass bands around the UK and is playing with the Kensington and Norwood City Band at the Australian National Championships in April 2006. He has also played 1^st Euphonium with the Halle Orchestra in performances of Janacek’s Symphonietta.

Michael was the winner of the European music en Picarde solo competition and was awarded the title of European Euphonium Player of the Year 2003.

He is greatly in demand as a brass teacher and band trainer and holds a BA in Music, a PGCE in secondary education and is a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama after gaining a Distinction in his performance examination.

Amongst his banding highlights are performances in the UK at the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Symphony Hall and The Sage Centre. Michael has toured extensively and performed in Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the USA, Canada and Australia. When asked about his life on tour, Michael commented “My most memorable concert was at the Sydney Opera House. It is a fantastic building and certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s best concert venues”.

Michael plays a Sterling Virtuoso Euphonium and uses a Denis Wick SM5 mouthpiece.