Chorale Director

Michael Shirtz is a performer, educator, composer, and conductor, recognized for his versatility in jazz, contemporary, and classical music genres. He is an affiliated artist with the Prima Music Foundation NY, The Musical Theatre Project, and leads the Michael Shirtz Quartet. 

As a music director and producer, Shirtz has collaborated with such artists as Melissa Manchester, Elizabeth von Trapp, Evelyn Wright, Ellen Winters, and long-time association with Maureen McGovern. His album Blue Skies, along with other original works, is available through Shirtz Music and online platforms. 

Shirtz’s conducting and composing credits span festival choruses, musical theatre productions, masterworks, commercial projects, and pops concerts, including his extended works such as Gift of Generation, The Solemn Blessings, and To Rise Above: The Journey of a Tuskegee Airman. He has held faculty positions at Capital University, American Music Academy, Terra State Community College, Heidelberg University, and director-in-residence at Pellissippi State College-Knoxville. He currently serves on the voice faculty at The Ohio State University School of Music. His leadership experience included roles as Associate Director for Tri-C JazzFest & Performing Arts Series at Playhouse Square and Associate Producer for the Jazz Network. Shirtz is the conductor of The Symphony Chorale with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra and serves as music director at Lakeside Chautauqua. 

An advocate for mental health awareness and creative innovation, Shirtz is a member of ASCAP, African American Jazz Caucus, American Choral Directors Association, Jazz Education Network, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and partner with S&S Strategies. He holds degrees in jazz studies and conducting from Capital University Conservatory of Music and California State University, Los Angeles.