Michael Bertoncello

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Trombonist Michael Bertoncello began his studies with Ian Perry at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in 1990. In 1997 he became a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago while studying with Michael Mulcahy. His first orchestral position was Principal Trombone with the Shanghai Radio Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra in 1998 and the following year he joined the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra in the same position. Michael then moved to Switzerland to take up the position of Solo Trombone of the Tonhalle Orchester Zurich in 2001 under the Direction of Maestro David Zinman. In 2005 Michael came home to Australia to his current position with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Michael has performed as a soloist with the Melbourne, West Australian and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse and the Tonhalle Orchester Zurich. He is an active chamber musician both in
Australia and overseas and has performed with the esteemed European ensemble, German Brass, on tour throughout Germany.

As a recitalist and clinician, Michael is in great demand. He has traveled extensively throughout Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Switzerland, the USA, China, Singapore and Hong Kong. He has also recorded the David and Wagenseil Trombone Concerti on the Arte Nova Classics label, performing with David Zinman and the Tonhalle Orchester Zurich.

Michael is founder and Co-Director of the Melbourne International Festival of Brass, currently in its seventh year. He is a Lecturer in Brass at The University of Melbourne where, in 2008, he obtained his first ever qualification – a Masters of Music Performance. Michael is also a founding member of the Australian Brass Quintet.

Michael resides in the seaside town of Point Lonsdale with his wife and three children, Rose, Zara and Darcy. He has a fishing rod and hopes to chase Snapper, Flathead, Whiting and Squid.