Michael's New CD!!
Released in October, 2009, this CD includes eleven of my own compositions in memory of my friend, Sharon Hann.
Lire sa biographie en françaisMichael J. Bridge
Michael Bridge is a sixteen year old bayanist, accordionist, and pianist 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 two years of high school remaining but plans to study music at university. He is preparing for his grade ten Royal Conservatory of Music piano exam in June of 2010 and his grade eight RCM bayan (free bass chromatic accordion) exam in January. He has completed advanced RCM theoretical studies in harmony, history and counterpoint and is now focusing on analysis.
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. Michael was also chosen to perform in a Honens Master Class on the piano, which also took place in October, 2009.
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 loves to perform as a one-man band playing popular, dance or jazz tunes.
STUDENTEducation to dateHas / Is pursuing studies in: Grade 10 Piano, Grade 9 Accordion, Advanced theory (counterpoint, keyboard harmony, history, and analysis) Fluent in French, functional in Spanish |
COMPETITORAccomplishments by event (only first place finishes are listed)Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships, Kimberley, BC 10 & under Old Time Music Category (2003) 12 & under Old Time Music Category (2005) 15 & under Old Time Music Category (2007) 19 & under Old Time Music Category (2007, 2008) Ages 13-50 Category Popular Music Category (2007, 2008) 15 & under Light Classical Category (2005, 2006, 2008) 15 & under Old Time Music Duet Category (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Jazz Category (2008) Band category (2007, 2008) Dr. C.D. Mazoff composition/improvisation award (2006, 2007, 2008) Happy Hans Open Championship (2008) Leavenworth International Accordion Competitions, Leavenworth, WA, USA 2007 - Popular, Open Jazz, Light Classical, 14 & under Old Time, Open Duet, Original Composition, and Patriotic March Categories 2008- Bands, Classical I, Popular I, Original Composition, Jazz, Showmanship award American Teachers' Guild / American Accordionist Association Festival - Washington D.C. 2007 - 15 & under Folk Ethnic Category Edmonton Accordion Association Extravaganza 2007 - Open championship 2008 - Open championship Accordion Association of Calgary Festival 2007 - Folk/Ethnic, Pop, Rock and Jazz Categories 2008 - Virtuoso Open Class; Own composition; Own choice, Jazz/Popular, Folk/Ethnic categories; Overall soloist (highest mark) |
COMPOSERAvailable books of sheet music"My Stuff" (© 2008) - musical scores for the accordion parts of all 11 original compositions on the CD Recording Artist/Producer"My Stuff" (© 2008) Recording of 11 of Michael's original compositions Live recording of accordion with multiple additional instruments superimposed using electronic keyboard to make full band sound (all parts performed by Michael) ________________________ "Sharon's Song" (© 2009) Recording of 11 of Michael's original compositions Live recording of bayan and accordion with multiple additional instruments superimposed using electronic keyboard to make full band sound (all parts performed by Michael) |
For enquiries about booking performances or to purchase CD's or books: call (403) 686-6496 or e-mail