Michael Delfín

Praised for “beautiful performances of great warmth” (Classical Voice of North Carolina), Michael Delfín captures the listener with sensitivity and flair as a versatile performer of historical and modern keyboard instruments. Michael won the top prize ex aequo in the Ninth Jurow International Harpsichord Competition, shortly after being nominated to the Diapason 20 Under 30 Class of 2021. He is the recipient of the Bourbon Baroque Nicolas Fortin Scholarship, the Historical Keyboard Society of North America Bechtel/Clinkscale Scholarship, and the Catacoustic Consort Early Music Grant. As a pianist, Mr. Delfin has won prizes in the International Crescendo Music Awards, Chautauqua International Piano Competition, and two consecutive concerto competitions at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Recent performances include recitals for the Ear Taxi New Music Festival, The Stone, and the Western Early Keyboard Association, and solo appearances with Lyra Baroque, Bourbon Baroque, the CCM Concert Orchestra, and the American Chamber Symphony. Mr. Delfin’s advocacy for new music has led to numerous world premieres across the United States to rave reviews. He recently collaborated with mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm on an album of contemporary art song for Ablaze Records, to be released in 2024.

     Mr. Delfín is the artistic director of Bama Baroque and Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque. Before joining of the faculty at University of Alabama as instructor of early keyboard, he taught piano at Cedarville University and has taught harpsichord and chamber music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He was also recently appointed to the Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council and the Historical Keyboard Society of North America’s board of directors. He makes his home with his wife and son in Tuscaloosa, where he serves as organist at the Grace Presbyterian Church. A native of Fresno, CA, Mr. Delfín holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Johns Hopkins University, and his mentors include Awadagin Pratt, Yoshikazu Nagai, Boris Slutsky, Michael Unger, and Carol Oaks.