Michael Song, cello

Canadian cellist Michael Song has garnered a reputation for uncompromising depth and command of the instrument. As a soloist, he has performed across Europe and North America in a broad concerto repertoire that spans from the Classical elegance of C.P.E. Bach and Haydn to the masterworks of Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev. In recital, Song crafts programs that blend tradition with discovery; by taking interest in forgotten gems of the past and music of the present, valuing the expression of artistry unbounded by designation.  

This artistic voice was shaped largely by his studies with the figures of Gary Hoffman and Lynn Harrell. As the recipient of prizes from the Fondation Gautier Capuçon and the Kronberg Academy, he has also been influenced by Gautier Capuçon, Frans Helmerson, and many other great musicians.  

Song holds degrees from The Royal Conservatory of Music and the Colburn School, where his teachers included Clive Greensmith, Hans Jørgen Jensen, Andres Díaz, and Ronald Leonard. He was supported by the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation and The Hnatyshyn Foundation, and is a Pirastro Artist.  

Song performs on a 1723 Domenico Montagnana cello and a bow by Jean-Pierre-Marie Persoit. 

Since 2023, Michael Song has been an Artist in residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, under the direction of Gary Hoffman.  

Last updated: 31 March 2026