A multifaceted musician, Michael Stern is recognized for his diverse skill set as both a performer and educator. Currently serving as the pianist and Director of Contemporary Music at Christ Chapel in Ithaca, NY, he has accompanied the Ithaca College Summer Music All Academy Chorus as well as honor choirs throughout New York. Additionally, Michael spent a majority of his academic career studying the trumpet, holding a Bachelor of Music in Music Education & Trumpet Performance from Ithaca College and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan in Trumpet Performance and Chamber Music. He has performed with the acclaimed University of Michigan Symphony Band and the Ann Arbor Symphony.
While at the University of Michigan, Michael was invited to study wind conducting with Michael Haithcock as a performance cognate. This led to additional conducting opportunities, including his recent completion of an additional master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from Ithaca College under the guidance of Grant Cooper. He has also been a guest rehearsal conductor with the Cornell University Symphony Orchestra and the Ithaca Community Orchestra. Most recently, Michael attended the National Orchestral Institute + Festival to study conducting with Marin Alsop and Jim Ross. Michael is passionate about music education and hopes to use his abilities as a collaborator to create an energetic, focused, and disciplined approach to learning life skills through music.