Music critic Hugh Fraser of the Hamilton Spectator referred to Michael as "The most elegant violinist around." Michael began serious violin studies in Lübeck, Germany. He had early opportunity to play with a variety of Canada's top classical musicians as a member of Marta Hidy and Friends and now performs freelance on violin, viola and violoncello piccolo da spalla - the only Canadian musician to do so professionally. Michael has performed and recorded the quintet repertoire with major players on the international scene like the Fine Arts Quartet, the American String Quartet, the Miro Quartet, the Lafayette Quartet, the New Orford Quartet, the Parker Quartet and the Lydian Quartet. Michael played trio concerts for five years with great players Ronald Turini and Daniel Domb, and before that with Alexander Tselyakov and Gisela Depkat. Michael taught for eight years at the Southern Ontario Chamber Music Institute and directed his own string quartet camp near Parry Sound. He has taught violin and viola and chamber music for McMaster University and York University, and directs the Schulte Chamber Players - numerously awarded Ontario's best by the OMFA. Michael commissioned the construction two ancient string instruments and does concerts and tours with his rare violoncello piccolo da spalla. Michael played and conducted much of wife Abigail Richardson-Schulte's music for CBC broadcast, and performed her violin concerto with five of Canada's professional orchestras. Michael has been artistic director of Chamber Music Hamilton for fourteen years.
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