Michael Shirtz
Chorale Director
Michael Shirtz is a performer, educator, composer, and conductor, known for his versatility with jazz, contemporary, and classical music. Credited as a “songsmith,” his vocals and arrangements feature jazz and singer-songwriter styles into his performances as both a solo artist and with his group, the Michael Shirtz Quartet. He has worked with such artists as Melissa Manchester, Evelyn Wright, and as music director for Maureen McGovern, among others. As an artist Shirtz is affiliated with the Prima Music Foundation and the Musical Theatre Project. His shows include tributes to legendary artists in “As We’ve Learned It,” “In Finding Faith,” and his “Blue Skies” show and album released in 2018.
With a passion for fostering creativity and collaboration, Shirtz has emerged as a respected figure in both the jazz and choral communities as a conductor and educator. Shirtz has directed educational, theatre, masterworks, and pops music productions for choral, symphonic, and festival organizations. As a producer he has served with Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, Jazz@8 Series, Jazz Education Network, and jazz in schools initiative. Shirtz is a music director for Lakeside Chautauqua and conductor of the Symphony Chorale with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra. He has written compositions for jazz, choir, theater, and extended works such as the cantata The Solemn Blessings, the musical Headliner, and To Rise Above: A Journey of a Tuskegee Airman.
Shirtz currently serves on faculty with The Ohio State University School of Music where he teaches applied and jazz voice. He has served on the faculties of Capital University, Heidelberg University, director-in-residence at Pellissippi State-Knoxville, and Terra State Community College where he held the positions of lead faculty and dean. Shirtz is a member of ASCAP, American Choral Directors Association, African American Jazz Caucus, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Shirtz received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Capital University and Master of Music in Conducting from California State University, Los Angeles.
