About
Instrument: Clarinet
AYO: 2026
Michael is a Melbourne-based clarinettist studying with David Griffiths. His musical journey began at the piano with his grandmother before developing into a passion for woodwind instruments, leading him to study oboe, bassoon, flute, saxophone, and ultimately clarinet. A dream in early high school prompted his switch from bassoon to clarinet, shaping his path as a multi-instrumentalist and influencing his choice of principal study at university.
Alongside his clarinet studies, Michael has continued playing the oboe, performing as principal oboe with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra in 2023 and touring Singapore and Malaysia with the Melbourne University Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed extensively in chamber ensembles through both his studies and with the wider musical community.
In 2024, Michael was awarded the Young Players Scholarship from the Percy Grainger Wind Symphony and was a finalist in the University’s Concerto and Aria Competition. In 2025, he received the Donald William
Thornton Bequest Scholarship in recognition of his academic excellence. Michael recently participated in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2026 National Music Camp and is excited to perform in the 2026 Summer
Season. Outside of music, he works in a pathology lab, searches for Melbourne’s best brunch spots, and enjoys spending time with his cat.