Michael Robinson
Vocal Lecturer
Michael Robinson grew up on the Ayrshire coast in Scotland. Moving initially to Edinburgh at only 16 to study piano at Napier University, gaining several diplomas in performance, he then moved to London to study piano and singing at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, piano under Iain Burnside and singing under Bill McAlpine. He gained the Bachelor of Music Honours Degree in Performance, winning several college prizes along the way.
For 25 years, Michael has gained a reputation as an extremely versatile pianist and tenor. He toured internationally for 3 years, with renowned a Capella vocal group, The Swingle Singers, and as featured soloist on their award winning Beatles album Ticket To Ride. After leaving the Swingles, Michael joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company for several seasons at London’s Savoy Theatre, and subsequently appeared in numerous UK tours in shows such as Candide with The Opera Group and The Impressario with Opera Scotland.
In addition to a busy theatre schedule, Michael has worked extensively as a concert soloist, as both singer and pianist, appearing in venues such is the Barbican Hall, The Wigmore Hall, Lincoln Centre, New York, and St. David’s Hall, Cardiff and Orchard Hall, Tokyo, in works such as Bernstein’s Mass, Sondheim’s Company for his 75th Birthday gala, and Berio’s legendary work Sinfonia with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestras, winning a Gramophone Award. As a recording and session singer, Michael has worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, John Williams and Danny Elfman. As a pianist, accompanist and musical director Michael has appeared with his vocal trio Closer performing with them as piano/vocalist extensively throughout Europe, as well as writing all their arrangements. With Closer, he made has debut at London’s prestigious cabaret venue The Crazy Coq’s in November 2019.
Michael was creator, artistic director and musical arranger/supervisor on a month long summer gala to sell-out audiences in Switzerland, featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
A prolific vocal coach and singing teacher, Michael has worked with many distinguished singers in both the Classical and Musical Theatre/Pop worlds, and has been a regular member of the singing team at Performers College since 2009.