Michael Joseph 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. 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 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 and Xavier University and has taught figured bass and improvisation at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He was also recently appointed to the Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council and the Historical Keyboard Society of North America’s board of directors. 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 holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati, San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Johns Hopkins University. www.michaeldelfin.com

Bachelor of Music: Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, 2014 (Piano Performance)

Bachelor of Arts: The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, 2014 (History)

Master of Music: San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA, 2016 (Piano Performance)

Doctor of Musical Arts: University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music Cincinnati, OH, 2023 (Piano Performance)

Doctor of Musical Arts: University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music Cincinnati, OH, 2023 (Harpsichord)