Critically hailed as a "stylish and sensitive accompanist," Michael Alfera enjoys a multifaceted career as a solo pianist, accompanist, conductor, composer, arranger, musical director, and vocal coach. He is also the founder and artistic director of a contemporary choral ensemble dedicated to the performance and promotion of new choral music.
Michael has collaborated with such performers as LeAnn Rimes, Audra McDonald, Alex Newell, Melissa Manchester, Levi Kreis, and Cheryl Lee Ralph. He has penned dozens of arrangements for men's chorus, mixed chorus, and contemporary a cappella groups. His Brokeback Mountain Suite was performed to critical acclaim at the 2012 GALA Festival, and his arrangements have been heard in Florida, New Mexico, Colorado, and elsewhere.
Michael is also active as a composer, having written several works for solo piano, small ensembles, and orchestra. His Pavane for Chamber Orchestra was the winner of the 2005 Hurley Orchestra Composition Competition; this work has been performed several times both within the United States and abroad.
Michael was the winner of the 2010 StageSceneLA Breakthrough Musical Director award. Musical direction credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Cal Poly Pomona), A Little Night Music (USC), Starmites (Ensemble Theater Company), Urinetown, and See What I Wanna See (USC).
Michael received his training first at Interlochen Arts Academy and then at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Dr. Stewart Gordon. He has taught musical theater as a faculty member at Cal Poly Pomona and the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
Michael has collaborated with such performers as LeAnn Rimes, Audra McDonald, Alex Newell, Melissa Manchester, Levi Kreis, and Cheryl Lee Ralph. He has penned dozens of arrangements for men's chorus, mixed chorus, and contemporary a cappella groups. His Brokeback Mountain Suite was performed to critical acclaim at the 2012 GALA Festival, and his arrangements have been heard in Florida, New Mexico, Colorado, and elsewhere.
Michael is also active as a composer, having written several works for solo piano, small ensembles, and orchestra. His Pavane for Chamber Orchestra was the winner of the 2005 Hurley Orchestra Composition Competition; this work has been performed several times both within the United States and abroad.
Michael was the winner of the 2010 StageSceneLA Breakthrough Musical Director award. Musical direction credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Cal Poly Pomona), A Little Night Music (USC), Starmites (Ensemble Theater Company), Urinetown, and See What I Wanna See (USC).
Michael received his training first at Interlochen Arts Academy and then at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Dr. Stewart Gordon. He has taught musical theater as a faculty member at Cal Poly Pomona and the USC School of Dramatic Arts.