Who I Am:

Michael X. (he/him/his) is a versatile performer, vocal coach, and music director with experience in Chicago, Des Moines, and now Denver. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Columbia College Chicago, where he spent a considerable amount of time teaching and music directing, alongside performing.

As a performer, Michael has had the pleasure of portraying memorable characters in a variety of productions. Some of his favorite roles include Dick in High Fidelity (Columbia College Chicago), Will I? Soloist/Restaurant Man in RENT (Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre), and Ensemble in South Pacific (Des Moines Playhouse), which won the Cloris Leachman Award for Best Musical. He has also graced stages at the Des Moines Civic Center, Kum & Go Theatre, and the Den Theatre in Chicago.

As a music director, Michael has worked alongside some of Chicago’s finest, including Jermaine Hill on Caroline, or Change and Xanadu, and Andra Velis Simon on Little Shop of Horrors, all of which were Columbia College Chicago Mainstage productions. Additionally, he has directed and conducted The Wild Party by Andrew Lippa, along with several cabarets and musical workshops.

In addition to his performance and directing work, Michael is passionate about teaching. He has been invited as a guest teaching artist for numerous high schools and music programs, sharing his expertise in vocal technique, audition preparation, and more. Michael also offers private voice lessons, helping students develop their craft and achieve their vocal goals.