Teaching Area(s)Piano
Education
Cleveland Institute of Music
Peabody Institute
University of Montreal
Dr. Michael Finlay, concert pianist and chamber musician based in Chicago, is well-known for his mentorship of emerging pianists, particularly in the realm of piano technique and injury prevention. He travels globally to deliver lectures and masterclasses on these topics. Recent lecture topics include "Forearm Anatomy for Pianists," "Practicing with Arm Impulses: 3 Approaches," and "Comparing Taubman, Russian, and Durand Approaches to Piano Technique." Former students have gone on to such prestigious music schools as Indiana University, Peabody Conservatory, and the University of Montréal. He has been invited to present at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapman University, and the 2024 International Seminar on Piano Pedagogy in Vilnius, Lithuania, among others.
Current performing projects include a video recording of the complete Beethoven violin sonata cycle with Denver-based violinist Byron Hitchcock and an all-Chopin album featuring the second and third piano sonatas and assorted shorter works, for release in 2023. He maintains an active performing schedule with recent performances in Italy, Detroit, Austin, San Antonio, Montreal, Toronto, Denver, and Atlanta. His performances have been broadcast on classical radio stations in Chicago, Austin, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Montreal. Dr. Finlay holds a Bachelor's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, a Master's from the Peabody Institute, and a Doctorate from the University of Montreal.