Genre

:

Vocal

 

Michael Strauss is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant impact in the world of music. Born on May 15, 1975, in New York City, Michael grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a professional violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Michael's parents recognized his musical talent at an early age and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Michael began his musical journey by learning to play the violin at the age of four. He showed exceptional talent and dedication to the instrument, and by the age of ten, he had already performed in several concerts. Michael's parents realized that he needed a more challenging instrument to play, and they introduced him to the viola. Michael quickly fell in love with the viola and began to excel in playing the instrument. He continued to receive training from his father and other renowned musicians. Michael's talent and dedication to the viola earned him a scholarship to attend the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. At Juilliard, Michael studied under the tutelage of William Lincer, a renowned violist. He also received training from other notable musicians such as Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, and Isaac Stern. Michael's time at Juilliard was a turning point in his career, as he honed his skills and developed his unique style of playing the viola. After graduating from Juilliard, Michael began his professional career as a violist. He joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra as a section violist, where he played for several years. Michael's exceptional talent and dedication to his craft earned him recognition from his peers and the music industry. In 2001, Michael was appointed as the principal violist of the Minnesota Orchestra. This was a significant milestone in his career, as he became the first African-American to hold a principal position in a major American orchestra. Michael's appointment was a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft, and it opened doors for other musicians of color to pursue careers in classical music. Michael's tenure at the Minnesota Orchestra was marked by several notable performances and achievements. He performed as a soloist with the orchestra in several concerts, including the world premiere of Kevin Puts' Viola Concerto. Michael's performance was highly acclaimed, and it earned him the Minnesota Orchestra's Outstanding Soloist Award. In addition to his work with the Minnesota Orchestra, Michael has also performed with other notable orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed in several international music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. Michael's talent and dedication to his craft have earned him several awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2005, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. The award recognizes outstanding young musicians who have the potential to make significant contributions to the world of classical music. In 2010, Michael was awarded the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding classical musicians of color. The award is given to musicians who have made significant contributions to the world of classical music and who have the potential to inspire future generations of musicians.

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