Michael Martin is a double bassist and teaching artist, and recently joined the bass section of the
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He previously was Principal Bass of Chicago Sinfonietta. He
regularly appears with orchestras across the country, including the Chicago Symphony, Minnesota
Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Milwaukee Symphony, among
many others. Formerly, he was a fellow with the New World Symphony for three seasons, and holds
degrees from Northwestern University and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He currently lives in
Evanston, Illinois with his wife Rose, their beloved tuxedo cat named “Tofu”, and an ever-expanding
collection of houseplants.

Michael began his study of the double bass with Suzuki pedagogue Domenick Fiore, and quickly
discovered a deep love of the instrument in all its capacities. He has since studied with a number of
mentors and professors, including Joseph Conyers, Tracy Rowell, Andrew Raciti, Owen Lee, and
Alexander Hanna. Throughout his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Michael developed a passion
for string pedagogy, and is currently on faculty at Bass Works Maryland (of which he is an ‘12 alum)
during the summer and maintains a growing private studio at home. As part of his graduate degree, he
studied string pedagogy with cellists Hans Jørgen Jensen and Cornelia Watkins-Dyer, whose seminal
insights on the art and science of string playing continue to inform his approach to the double bass.

He is also the creator of Black Reflections, a three-part panel discussion series on racial justice in music,
featuring Black luminaries of classical music and jazz such as Chi-chi Nwanoku, Christian McBride,
and Dr. Tammy Kernodle. Michael plays a modern instrument made for him in 2019 by Christopher
Savino, and a bow by celebrated French bowmaker Jean Grunberger.