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Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson

Michael P. Atkinson (French horn) is actively engaged in many aspects of cultural life in New York City beyond. As solo hornist of The Knights, a Brooklyn-based dynamic young chamber ensemble, he has toured across the U.S. and Europe and can be heard on 6 recordings. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Mark Morris Dance Group, American Symphony Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. He has also performed for numerous Broadway musicals including Wicked, Disney’s Aladdin, and Les Miserables. In 2014 and 2017, he appeared as guest principal horn with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. In addition to performing, Atkinson is a sought-after arranger/orchestrator in many genres ranging from classical folk to indie-rock. His orchestrations have been performed by the New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Norwegian Ballet, and Vienna State Opera Ballet companies. Outside the ballet world, Atkinson has written instrumental arrangements for Dawn Upshaw, Sara Watkins, I’m With Her (folk trio), Dr. Dog (band), Sufjan Stevens, and The Knights.