Michael Finlay, D.M.A.

About Michael

Michael Finlay is a concert pianist and educator acclaimed for performances praised for his expressive depth and technical command. A proud Interlochen alumnus, he attended the Arts Camp from 1998 to 2002 and graduated from the Arts Academy in 2002. He now returns as a faculty member, teaching piano and technique in the same transformative environment that shaped his own artistic path.

He maintains an active international schedule, with recent performances in Catania (Italy), Montreal, Toronto, Austin, San Antonio, Denver, Chicago, and Atlanta. Recent concerto appearances include Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, "Rhapsody in Blue" with Corda Harmonia, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 with musicians of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

An avid chamber musician, Finlay has collaborated with members of the Cleveland, Montreal, and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, as well as artists from the Catalyst, Kontras, and Koerner Quartets. Upcoming projects include a filmed performance of the complete Beethoven violin sonatas with violinist Byron Hitchcock and a solo album featuring Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor.

He is the creator of The Finlay Method, a research-informed approach to piano technique that integrates biomechanics, physiology, and neuroscience to promote injury prevention and pianistic freedom. He teaches at the DePaul Community Music Division, Northeastern Illinois University, and the Reinhardt Piano Festival and Academy. Finlay has presented invited lectures on piano technique and injury prevention at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, UNC Chapel Hill, and Chapman University. His principal teachers include Paul Schenly, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Yong Hi Moon, and Marc Durand.

Playing the piano beautifully requires imagination, passion, and a sense of wonder. Believing these qualities reside in every student, I strive to guide them in developing their musical imagination and sensitivity. Together, we translate that vision into physical gestures and sounds, bridging the gap between what they hear and what they play. I’m passionate about helping students uncover abilities they didn’t know they had and discover deeper dimensions of their artistry. As an Interlochen alumnus, I’m honored to give back to the place that first inspired me to pursue this profession.