Michael Stratford

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Double Bass
4.5
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25+ lessons booked on Lessonface

About

Achievements and Experience:

  • Currently pursuing a degree in Double Bass Performance at the Juilliard School

  • Principal Double Bass of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA) during the 2024 South America tour under Marin Alsop

 

  • Former Principal Bass of:

    • University of North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra

    • Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra

    • Winston-Salem Youth Symphony

  • 3rd Prize Winner – Hilton Head Symphony Youth Concerto Competition (2025)

  • Finalist – Charlotte Symphony Guild’s Young Artist Concerto Competition (2022)

  • Finalist – Peter Perret Young Talent Search Concerto Competition (2024 & 2025)

  • Participant and performer – International Chamber Music Academy, Landesakademie Ochsenhausen, Germany

  • Over 3 years of private teaching experience with beginner through advanced students

    • Students have won auditions for prestigious programs such as Carnegie Hall's NYOUSA

  • Principal instructors include Dr. Adam Booker, Paul Sharpe, and Joseph Conyers

Teaching Style

As an instructor, I believe that every student has different needs depending on their personality, learning style, drive, and goals. Therefore, I do not subscribe to a one-size-fits-all practice of teaching; every student, per their goals, will have a different blend of focus on technique, sound production, organization, and artistic vision. Furthermore, I am not a dictator, and I make a genuine effort to actively listen to and respond to students' input and concerns regarding how lessons are going. Additionally, I am only available for online/Zoom lessons for maximum accessibility and personal scheduling conflicts with travel. 

Curriculum

For technique, I commonly use Professor Paul Sharpe's book, "Bassic Technique", which is brilliantly organized into steps with easy-to-understand technical workouts, fingering systems, and endurance-building exercises that were created by him and his former teachers, Jeff Bradetich and Diana Gannett. Of course, depending on individual challenges, goals, and communication with the student, this technique book may change. Additionally, I am a large proponent of the use of Hal Robinson's "Strokin" as a source for bow technique, and recommend its daily use. 

For sources on Orchestral Excerpts, I recommend that students, if they are able, purchase a copy of Hal Robinson's book, "The Quad". This book organizes most of the widely requested orchestral excerpts and gives Professor Robinson's personal musical views, fingerings, bowings, and markings for each.  

*Paul Sharpe's "Bassic Technique" is currently unavailable for purchase, and upon beginning lessons with me, students will receive a PDF Copy. 

Credentials & Affiliations

Credentials & Affiliations:

  • B.M. in Double Bass Performance (in progress), The Juilliard School

  • Alumnus, University of North Carolina School of the Arts (High School program)

  • Principal Double Bass, National Youth Orchestra of the United States (2024)

  • Participant, International Chamber Music Academy – Landesakademie Ochsenhausen, Germany

  • Former Principal Bass, Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra and Winston-Salem Youth Symphony

  • Studied under renowned bassists Dr. Adam Booker, Paul Sharpe, and Joseph Conyers

  • Member of the International Society of Bassists