Michael is a Canadian conductor, music director, arranger, and pianist based in Alberta on Treaty 6 territory — the traditional lands of many First Nations and Métis peoples.
Known for his dynamic leadership and engaging performances, Michael has collaborated with orchestras across Canada and the U.S., bringing classical, pops, and musical theatre to life. He is the Artistic Director of the Edmonton Pops Orchestra and an emerging composer with a passion for innovative storytelling through music.
Conductor & Pianist
Elizabeth Sterling Award–nominated music director Michael Clark has conducted hundreds of concerts and over three dozen musicals. He has collaborated with leading ensembles and institutions including the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Royal Canadian Artillery Band, Lincoln Center, Banff Centre, and Goodspeed Musicals, and has led two tours with the Edmonton Pops Orchestra throughout Western Canada. Known for his dynamic presence and love of storytelling, Michael inspires performers and captivates audiences.
Composer & Arranger
Michael has created music for more than a dozen original concert programs and five new musicals, with works performed across Canada and heard on radio. Notable credits include the world premiere of Once Upon a Frost (Composer, Writer, Director), arrangements and orchestrations for the award-winning Krampus, producing and composing And I’m Home: A Holiday Radioplay, and contributions to Broadway’s Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. His recent works for orchestra and wind ensemble have been performed by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Greenwood Singers, Edmonton Pops Orchestra, University of Alberta Summer Orchestra, and St. Albert Community Band.
Collaborator & Partner
Michael is a storyteller who values genuine connection, community, and creative exchange. He serves as Director of the Edmonton Composers Competition, works with the Johann Strauss Foundation, and has partnered with the Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestra, Walterdale Theatre, Festival Place, and the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Centre. He is also committed to bringing music to the community through initiatives like Orchestra on Wheels.
Alongside his musical work, Michael brings experience in molecular genetics and building trades, including as a Red Seal Electrician—backgrounds that enrich his thoughtful and practical approach to collaboration.
Michael is a graduate of programs at the University of Alberta, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Eastman School, University of Nebraska and Juilliard School.
