Michael Faulkner is an active member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA) Kingston Branch, the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations (CFMTA), the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association (CMFAA).

He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Queen’s University and is a graduate of The Royal Conservatory of Music, earning A.R.C.T. diplomas Piano Performance & Teaching and Vocal Performance & Teaching.

As an adjudicator, Michael has served at local, provincial, national, and international music festivals, judging competitions, presenting masterclasses, and inspiring musicians of all ages. He is passionate about encouraging others to embrace music as a lifelong source of joy, creativity, and personal growth, always reminding students to continue along this healthy and rewarding path of music education—and, above all, to have fun making a joyful noise.

Known for his musical insight, beautiful tone, and technical artistry, Michael began studying music at the age of four. His early years were marked by numerous festival and competition successes, earning many top awards and distinctions.

Today, Michael enjoys a rewarding career teaching a full studio of students of all ages and levels in piano, voice, pedagogy, and theory. He teaches both in person and online, working with students from across Canada. Many of his students have earned top honours, distinctions, scholarships, and awards, while a significant number have gone on to pursue professional careers in music.

Through his teaching, examining, adjudicating, and collaborative performing, Michael has had the privilege of working with thousands of musicians across Canada and beyond. He believes there is always something to celebrate and something new to learn. Sharing the musical journey, recognizing the successes found in every performance, and discovering creative ways to overcome challenges in musical communication are all part of a collaborative process that he is proud to share with students, teachers, and fellow musicians.

An accomplished performer, Michael is equally at home in opera, oratorio, art song, and musical theatre. As a collaborative pianist, he is in demand with singers and instrumentalists ranging from beginner to professional levels. He has also served for 18 years as a piano and voice examiner with Conservatory Canada and has worked with Music for Young Children (MYC), reflecting his belief that a strong musical foundation in childhood nurtures a lifelong love of the arts.

For more than 40 years, Michael has served as a church musician, providing musical leadership and service to a wide variety of Christian denominations. He has directed community choirs throughout the Quinte region, most recently Let’s Make a Choir, a community ensemble of more than 50 voices that performed in support of numerous charitable initiatives.

Michael believes that music is a lifelong passion and is continually inspired by new artistic collaborations. In 2026, he participated in a world premiere concert celebrating the music of Canadian-American composer Gena Branscombe, premiering newly realized operatic and choral works. He will also perform and collaborate in a large-scale regional Christmas and Holiday Concert in December 2026, bringing together multiple choirs, soloists, and instrumental ensembles in celebration of the season.

Beyond music, Michael is an avid animal lover who enjoys skiing, hiking, attending concerts, and experiencing live theatre. His greatest joy remains sharing the transformative power of music with students, audiences, and the communities he is privileged to serve.