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WelcomeMichael is a composer and musician based in Manchester. Born in Oxford in 1988 Michael's musical life started young after he took up the piano aged three, and it gained momentum throughout his childhood. After experimenting with the saxophone he also took voice lessons prior to University, as well as getting involved with many musical theatre productions both at school and with Sands Theatre Arts School. At the University of Manchester Michael's talents flourished; a lover of all things musical he actively embraced all that the university and city offered. Studying singing under Martin Bussey and composition under John Casken and Camden Reeves, amongst others, he graduated with First Class Honours winning the Hargreaves Prize for Composition. Whilst studying Michael had the opportunity to be musical director for several groups including the University of Manchester Drama Society, the Shilo Theatre Company and Hulme Hall. Michael was also President of the University's Music Society. He also worked extensively with the University’s New Music Ensemble Vaganza and instigated the role of Patron for the Music Society of whom he secured Peter Maxwell Davies' tenure. Now a graduate Michael has worked as a composer and musician in a variety of settings. He has worked as a shadow artist for organisations such as Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG), Opera North and the BBC Philarmonic and also works as a singing teacher for the Rochdale Music Service. He also continues to work for various musical theatre groups in Manchester and his compositions have been performed in venues nationwide including the Town Hall and CBSO Centre in Birmingham; Adrian Boult Hall and the Recital Hall at Birmingham Conservatoire; Ludlow Assembly Rooms; and Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Manchester, as well as various theatrical venues throughout Manchester. His music has also been heard at the Harrogate International Festival and the International Byron Conference in Manchester. Michael’s music also featured in two new musicals in Summer 2011 as part of the Not Part Of festival entitled INDIGESTION with New Space Productions (of which he is co-founder and musical director) and A FIST FULL OF LOVE with Proud Productions. Both productions were great successes with plans for different tours in this country and beyond. He was also musical supervisor on a new and innovative actor-musician production of INTO THE WOODS at the RNCM in February 2011. Becoming a student again Michael started a Masters in composition at the RNCM after being awarded a scholarship. Michael can be contacted on michaelbetteridge@hotmail.com. |
