Canadian accordionist Michael Bridge said: “Super excited to be graduating from my Master’s in Accordion Performance and looking forward to recording a couple albums this summer! I’m very honoured that the University of Toronto has made a little video about what I’m doing… please enjoy!”
The University of Toronto proudly announces that Michael Bridge is a Class of 2017 graduate of U of T’s Masters of Music Performance program. He’s also an accordion virtuoso. As part of their ongoing spotlight on exceptional grads who are convocating this June, they spoke with Michael about how his experience at U of T has “changed his understanding of what the accordion can do.” In the fall, 25-year-old Michael Bridge will start a doctoral program in accordion, becoming the third person at U of T to take it that far.
The photo is of Michael and his father at his June 2017 Master’s degree convocation.
Excerpts from his website: Concert-accordionist Michael Bridge is a captivating young musician, redefining the sound and image of his traditional instrument. Named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30”, he is internationally renowned for his dynamic stage- presence and unique musical versatility.
His repertoire – classical masterworks, baroque, jazz, world music, folk dances, contemporary classical, and digital accordion compositions – smashes all stereotypes concerning the limitations of his instrument. He made his solo orchestral debut with the Boston Pops at 17, and has performed on four continents, now playing over 100 concerts per year.
Michael is a founding member of Double-Double Duo, having toured Ecuador, Poland, France and across Canada with his collaborator Dr. Kornel Wolak (clarinet). Their debut album launched in 2015, entitled ‘Rock Bach’. He performs in Ladom Ensemble, an acoustic Iranian-Serbian-classical-tango quartet.
An ardent supporter of new music, Michael has over thirty world premieres to his credit, including works by Anna Pigdorna, Airat Ichmouratov and Pouya Hamidi. As a composer, he wrote and recorded two folk albums and is the primary arranger for several of his chamber ensembles.
He has gratefully received support for his academic work and touring from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council, The Sylva Gelber Music Foundation, the Government of Alberta and the University of Toronto.
Future performances include:
July 13-16, 2017 – Victoria International Accordion Festival
Presented by the B.C. Accordion Society,Performer and Adjudicator
July 29, 2017 – Samford University, Birmingham, AL, Solo Recital, Boling Recital Hall
August 7, 2017 – Music Mondays, Toronto, Public concert recording by CBC Radio
Church of the Holy Trinity, 12 noon
August 9, 2017 – Parsborro, N.S., Double-Double Duo Maritime Tour, “The Hall”, 7:PM
August 10, 2017 – Barachois Summer Music Festival, Double-Double Duo Maritime Tour
September 3, 2017 – Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, “Symphony under the Skies”
Bob Bernhardt, conductor, 2:PM outdoor performance at the Heritage Amphitheatre
AWW wishes Michael continuing success in his amazing musical career!
