Image
Michael Blackburn in a striped shirt against a black background

Michael Blackburn

Image
Michael Blackburn in a striped shirt against a black background
Department: Music Program

Professional Overview

Michael Blackburn ’16 is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Music program. In addition to his BA from Saint Mary’s where he studied conducting with Dr. Julie Ford and Vocal Performance with Donna Olson, he holds a Master’s in Conducting from UC Santa Cruz where he studied with Bruce Kiesling. As a singer, he has performed across the country and around the world at venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City, the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, and the Laurea Mundi Competition in Budapest, Hungary. He has also held the positions of music director, accompanist, and cantor at various churches around the San Francisco Bay Area and central Florida. While at UC Santa Cruz, he served as Music Director for the world premiere of the new musical "The Artificial Woman," and was conductor of the UCSC Opera Program’s production of "My Head is Full of Colors." He was also assistant conductor for productions of W.A. Mozart’s "Die Zauberflöte" (The Magic Flute) and Gian Carlo Menotti’s "Amahl and the Night Visitors." In addition to working with the Saint Mary’s Glee, Chamber, and Jazz Singers, Michael teaches courses in beginning piano, sight-singing & ear training, and serves as Director of Liturgical Music.