Michael J. Bernabe

Michael Bernabe is a wide-ranging musician and has performed in a variety of settings throughout his life. Early on in his musical life, Michael attended the American Boychoir School at 12 years old and had a rare opportunity to perform year-round at home and abroad in places like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and with symphonies like the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, and Chicago Symphony. While with the Boychoir, Michael toured and performed throughout the US, to Canada, and even to Japan. It was this experience that laid the foundation for a future career in music.

After studying at both Duquesne University and Rutgers University in jazz piano performance, Michael spent a number of years performing in the New York City and Philadelphia jazz scenes. Now back in Pittsburgh, he frequently performs in and out of town with Reggie Watkins, Dwayne Dolphin, Hugo Cruz, James Johnson III, Paul Thompson, Tony Campbell, Brian Edwards, George Heid III, Eric DeFade, and Mike Tomaro. He is active in many different music scenes in the city, including jazz, R&B, neo-soul, pop, and even salsa. Throughout his education and career, he has also had the opportunity to share the stage with a number of other all-time great musicians, including Jeff "Tain" Watts, Randy Brecker, Sean Jones, Eddie Palmieri, Buddy Williams, Poogie Bell, Renee Manning, Earl McIntyre, Roger Humphries, and Victor Lewis.
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As an educator, Michael has held various positions in settings that involve children, teenagers, and young adults. Since relocating back to Pittsburgh, he has worked primarily with students with behavioral issues and those that are at an economic disadvantage in the Pittsburgh Public School district. That experience served as another example of Michael's desire to serve others. In addition to his busy year-round performance schedule, Michael and his wife Martina own and operate M&M Music Academy of Pittsburgh in the South Hills, where they welcome students of all ages to learn a wide variety of instruments.

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