The New Zealander organist, Michael Bell, began playing piano at the age of two. From the music of J.S. Bach and W.A. Mozart, especially, he has established a unique art of classical improvisation in his keyboard playing. His style is self taught and through a strong memory for musical structure, he is able to create an improvisation around any theme.
Tutored on the pipe organ at King's College, Auckland, in 1991 Michael Bell toured with a school group around France and England. A highlight was a performance on the organ at Canterbury Cathedral. Michael completed a Bachelor of Music and Diploma of Teaching at Auckland University in 2002. He was appointed Organist at St Matthew-in-the-City in April 2002 and is presently teaching classroom music at Avondale and Baradene Colleges. His first recording is "Music in St Matthew in the City" (2005) |