Michael Song

Michael is a performer, teacher, composer, and improvisor on piano, with 17 years of instrumental experience and 5 years of pedagogical experience. Under the guidance of Rae De Lisle and Pianist Stephen De Pledge, Michael completed his Bachelor of Music (specializing in Classical Performance) and Bachelor of Commerce Conjoint at the University of Auckland-the highest ranked university in New Zealand-with First Class Honors and up to five First in Course Awards in subjects including Classical Music Theories, Historical Performance, and Music Pedagogy.

 

Recently moved to Sydney, Michael is currently undertaking Master of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Pianist Paul Rickard-Ford and is one of six recipients of the George and Margaret Henderson Scholarship. In 2022, he competed as semi-finalist in the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition involving “15 of New Zealand’s finest young pianists”. Over the past year, he held public recital at the Italian consul home in Auckland, played in concerts at the Auckland Piano Club, and participated in public Masterclasses at the Lewis Eady International Piano Festival. Michael’s teaching philosophy on the piano centers on efficient coordination of the whole body in order to attain freedom of movement which enables richness of tone and musical expression. He utilizes specialized exercises, analogies, and imageries in his lessons to make abstract and complicated techniques easily comprehendible. He also aims to develop student’s ability to independently think, analyze, and make decisions according to the circumstances. Most importantly, he believes that the core value of teaching lies with cultivating student’s passion for music and music making.

 

Michael is experienced with preparing students for all levels of ABRSM Performance Grades and Music Theory exams. As an extra curriculum, he also teaches improvisation on the piano with a self-designed program from beginner’s level and encourages all students to participate in it, as it is an excellent way to learn and apply the logics behind the fundamentals of music creation.