MICHAEL POWERS

A native Angeleno, Michael Christ Powers is an advocate for music and its transformative and uplifting power in the lives of all people. As a conductor, educator, and arts advocate he has dedicated his career to connecting to students, musicians and audiences through the medium of music. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the newly formed Orchestra Los Angeles, an organization that connects, creates and celebrates the LA community through transformative collaborations of the arts in our city. As a conductor, Michael has led a wide variety of orchestras and ensembles in Europe, Asia, and the United States which have promoted community building through cultural exchanges of music. Described as…“born to conduct…Powers has a special gift of creation, a unique and true version of each and every piece played.”…Michael brings a deeply personal and expressive musicality to his musical collaborations.

As an ambassador and advocate of music education, Michael has served his community through his podium work on outreach initiatives with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, USC Thornton School of Music, The Juilliard School MAP Orchestra, Harmony Project, American Youth Symphony, Colburn School, YMF Debut Orchestra and many others. He has been a music faculty member of various esteemed institutions of higher education including The Juilliard School, University of Southern California, Los Angeles Community College, Pasadena Community College, and Chapman University.

Together with his wife, opera singer Katherine Powers, he enjoys exploring the many and fascinating neighborhoods of LA and their excellent restaurants, museums, culture and architecture. For Michael, Los Angeles proves itself to be a catalyst and center for art in all its forms, and continues to be a daily inspiration for his work and life as an Angeleno.