Michael Bridge is a seventeen-year old bayanist, accordionist, pianist, and composer from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Michael began piano lessons at age four and piano accordion lessons at age seven. His wonderful, long-time teachers are Beverley Fess (accordion) and Donna Holoboff (piano). Michael has one year of high school remaining but plans to study music at university. He completed his grade 10 Royal Conservatory of Music piano exam in June of 2010 and will take his grade 10 RCM bayan (free bass chromatic accordion) exam in 2011. He has completed advanced RCM theoretical studies in harmony, history, counterpoint, and analysis under the direction of Robert Rosen and Timothy Janz.

At the age of fourteen, Michael released the first CD of his own original compositions entitled "My Stuff." He has also published a book of sheet music to match this CD. His second CD of original works, "Sharon's Song," was released in October 2009 in Las Vegas, USA.

In August 2008, Michael attended the International Music Accordion Camp in Italy conducted by Peter and Mady Soave and their colleague Jean-Louis Noton. It was a fabulous week of workshops and camaraderie. At this camp, he began his study of a new, more complex instrument, the bayan. Michael won the Open Championships in 2008 at the Edmonton and Kimberley competitions and also won the Virtuoso Championship at the Calgary Festival. In 2009, he was invited to perform at the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in June. In early July, he represented Canada in France performing in three cities as part of a touring group of international artists. Then, in October, he appeared in concert and taught workshops at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention which he will do again in November 2010.

As a pianist, Michael was chosen to perform in a Master Class during the Honens International Piano Competition which took place in Calgary in October 2009 (this performance can be viewed on the Videos page).

Michael is a gifted and engaging young musician who is determined to raise the profile of the accordion and bayan for the next generation. He is passionate about classical music but also performs as a one-man band playing popular, dance or jazz tunes.