Michael Bridge
Director
A “wizard of the accordion” (CBC), Michael Bridge is internally-renowned for his warm stage personality and striking musical versatility. He tours in Europe, across the USA and Canada, giving over one hundred concerts annually as a soloist, with orchestra ad his two groups, Bridge & Wolak and Ladom Ensemble. A recipiet of the Lieutenant Governor’s emerging artist medal, he is invested in the future of the accordion and performs almost exclusively his own transcriptions of concert usic or new contemporary works, including over 50 world premiers.
Off Stage he is the first Canadian to pursue a doctorate in accordion performance, studying at the University of Toronto with Joseph Macerollo. While on tour, he gives masterclasses at universities and plays school shows for all ages. Bridge’s first accordion was purchased at a garage sale for $5 when he was five, and two decades later, he is redefining the perception of his traditional instrument.