Michael Delfin

Praised for “beautiful performances of great warmth” (Classical Voice of North Carolina), Michael Delfín captures the listener with sensitivity and flair on both the modern piano and historical keyboards. Mr. Delfín recently won the top prize ex aequo in the Ninth Jurow International Harpsichord Competition, shortly after being nominated to the Diapason 20 Under 30 Class of 2021. He is the recipient of the Bourbon Baroque Nicolas Fortin Scholarship, the Historical Keyboard Society of North America Bechtel/Clinkscale Scholarship and the Catacoustic Consort Early Music Grant. As a pianist, Mr. Delfin has captured prizes in the International Crescendo Music Awards, Chautauqua International Piano Competition, and two consecutive concerto competitions at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Recent performances include the world premiere of Wenbin Lyu’s Turbulent Mind with the CCM Concert Orchestra, a harpsichord recital for the Western Early Keyboard Association, and appearances with Lyra Baroque, Bourbon Baroque, Central Ohio Orchestra, and at the Ear Taxi New Music Festival in Chicago. Upcoming performances include the world premiere of Armando Bayolo’s [Unplanned] Obsolescence with the American Chamber Symphony, and JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations for the Bach Ensemble of St Thomas in Cincinnati. Mr. Delfin’s advocacy for new music has led to numerous world premieres across the United States to rave reviews. He is presently collaborating with the Evoke Arts Ensemble on an album of works for mixed media ensemble, as well as Astral Wonder, a solo piano album of commissioned works. A devoted educator, Mr. Delfin has taught figured bass and improvisation at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music recently joined the Preparatory Division as a piano instructor, as well as Xavier University as a harpsichord instructor. He is the artistic director of Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque and the harpsichordist for the Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas. Mr. Delfin makes his home with his wife and son in Cincinnati, where he serves as organist at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. A native of Fresno, CA, Mr. Delfín is a doctoral candidate in both piano and harpsichord at the University of Cincinnati and holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Johns Hopkins University. His mentors include Michael Unger, Awadagin Pratt, Yoshikazu Nagai, Boris Slutsky, and Carol Oaks. www.michaeldelfin.com