Michael Barrett is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as a pianist, conductor, and artistic director. Born on August 28, 1959, in New York City, Michael grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to music at an early age. Michael's interest in music began when he was just five years old, and he started playing the piano. He showed exceptional talent and was soon enrolled in the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division, where he studied with renowned pianist Adele Marcus. Michael continued his studies at the Juilliard School, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. After completing his studies, Michael began his career as a pianist, performing in various concerts and recitals across the United States and Europe. He quickly gained recognition for his exceptional talent and was invited to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his career as a pianist, Michael also developed a passion for conducting. He studied conducting with Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa and made his conducting debut in 1983 with the New York Philharmonic. Michael's conducting career took off, and he was soon in demand as a guest conductor with orchestras around the world. In 1991, Michael was appointed the artistic director of the New York Festival of Song, a position he held for over two decades. During his tenure, he helped to establish the festival as one of the premier vocal music events in the United States, showcasing the talents of some of the world's leading singers and pianists. Michael's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1999, he was awarded the Leonard Bernstein Award for Excellence in Educational Programming, and in 2002, he received the Peabody Award for his work as the executive producer of the NPR radio program "From the Top." One of Michael's most significant achievements was his work as the artistic director of the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, a position he held from 2003 to 2016. During his tenure, he helped to transform the center into a world-class music venue, attracting some of the world's leading musicians and performers. Michael's work at the Caramoor Center was recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the 2013 National Medal of Arts, which was presented to him by President Barack Obama. The award recognized Michael's contributions to the arts and his dedication to promoting classical music to audiences around the world. In addition to his work as a pianist, conductor, and artistic director, Michael has also been active as a composer and arranger. He has written numerous works for piano, voice, and orchestra, and his arrangements of classical works have been performed by orchestras around the world. Michael's contributions to the world of music have been significant, and his dedication to promoting classical music to audiences around the world has helped to ensure that this art form continues to thrive. His exceptional talent as a pianist and conductor, combined with his passion for music education and his commitment to promoting the arts, have made him one of the most respected and admired figures in the world of classical music.

More....