Michael completed the Joint Course at the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University and subsequently joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Other major orchestras for whom Michael has also played worldwide include the Philharmonia, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Royal National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National and Glyndebourne Touring Opera companies and chamber orchestras such as the English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, London Primavera and City of London Sinfonia. Michael also has played principal viola for Sinfonia Viva and English National Ballet.