Michael received his MFA from NYU's Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program in 1999. Before moving to New York, he performed for 11 years as a classical pianist in Detroit. Stage: Through A Glass, Darkly (Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus); Go-Go Beach, with Brent Lord & John Wimbs, premiered in the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival, licensed through Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Film & TV: original music for the Vh1 documentary Last Days of Left Eye, background music for various prime-time television shows, end credits song for the short film Waking Dreams starring Ben Shenkman. Industrial: Carnaval de Fuego (Six Flags Elitch Gardens). Other musicals: Dogs That Wear Hats; Big Tim with Stephen Tomac; Pickle Pins with Diana Hansen-Young; and Golden State with Tim McCanna.