Biography of Erni Michael:

The outstanding guitarist and composer Michael Erni completed his studies at the Zurich Conservatory with degrees in teaching music (Lehrdiplom) and an additional Masters degree in performance (Konzertdiplom). He continued his post-graduate studies at the Conservatory of Berne where he received a Master of Arts in specialised music performance – the Solistendiplom with distinction – from Professor Miguel Rubio. Further specialised studies followed with Andrés Segovia and Pepe Romero. Michael Erni has also attended master classes with Willian Kanengiser, Steven Thachuk and Robert Brightmore. Subsequently, Michael Erni has broadcast widely throughout Europe and elsewhere, and has made commercial recordings, including several of his own compositions. He also has a busy concert schedule, with important appearances with leading orchestras and chamber ensembles. Amongst Michael Erni’s own compositions are three guitar concertos and a quintet for guitar and string quartet. Several of his compositions has been published by German publishing houses such as "Zimmermann Frankfurt”. He has also received several significant awards: the most recent being in 2007, when the government of the Swiss canton Solothom granted Michael Erni a prestigious ‘Preis für Musik’ award for his accomplishments as a soloist and as a composer.