Dr. 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 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 won 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 solo recitals for the Western Early Keyboard Association and Central California Baroque Festival, and solo appearances with Lyra Baroque, Bourbon Baroque, the CCM Concert Orchestra, and at The Stone in NYC and the Ear Taxi New Music Festival. Upcoming performances include the world premiere of Armando Bayolo’s [Unplanned] Obsolescence with the American Chamber Symphony and solo recitals in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Mr. Delfin’s advocacy for new music has led to numerous world premieres across the United States to rave reviews. He recently collaborated with mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm on an album of contemporary art song cycles for Ablaze Records, to be released in 2024.

     Mr. Delfín is the artistic director of Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque and the harpsichordist for the Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas. He recently joined the faculties of Cedarville University as Adjunct Professor of Piano and Xavier University as Harpsichord Instructor and has taught figured bass and improvisation at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He was also recently appointed to the board of directors of the Historical Keyboard Society of North America. Mr. Delfin makes his home in Cincinnati, where he serves as organist at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. A native of Fresno, CA, Mr. Delfín holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, 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