Cellist Michael Dahlberg, noted for his “sensitivity and coloristic playing” (The New York Times), has built a portfolio career of community-building, education, and performance projects that carried him from local gallery spaces, to schools, to international concert halls.

During his years in Boston, Michael helped establish and lead the Discovery Ensemble, Juventas New Music Ensemble and Phoenix Orchestras, ensembles aimed at revitalizing classical music for the modern era. He stewarded contemporary chamber works as a New Fromm Player at the Tanglewood Music Center, performing alongside artists including Pierre-Laurent Aimard, John Zorn and the Mark Morris Dance Group.

His string quartet, the Boston Public Quartet (BPQ), presented concerts and workshops as the Celebrity Series’ first “Artist in Community.” As teaching artists, the BPQ founded the non-profit musiConnects, providing Boston Public Schools access to music instruction, forums for creative collaboration, and free performances. Michael brought his learning to the education team of NPR’s “From the Top,” where he designed and hosted over 80 interactive music events across 40 cities for more than 11,000 audience members of all ages.

Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2017, Michael has served as an Artist in Residence at the pianoSonoma summer festival, performed with regional ensembles including the San Jose Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Silicon Valley and Modesto Symphony, and teaches privately and as cello faculty at San Jose State University.

A native of Philadelphia, Michael began musical studies in a public school Suzuki program. He was fortunate to receive formative training from many of the city’s accomplished performers and educators thanks to institutions like the Settlement Music School and the scholarship programs they provided. He studied with Gloria dePasquale of the Philadelphia Orchestra before pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at the New England Conservatory (NEC) under the tutelage of Yeesun Kim.

Michael now resides in the Sacramento area with his wife, daughter and 13-pound cat, Gus, enjoying a triple life as Product Manager for a tech startup, musician, and father.

Learn more on his website: www.mikedahlberg.com.