Michael P. Atkinson, Orchestra Director 

Michael P. Atkinson is a distinguished composer/arranger/conductor/instrumentalist based in New York City.  Credits and collaborations include Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck, William Kentridge, New York Philharmonic, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Netherlands Philharmonic, La Monnaie de Munt Opera, Ballet Collective, Metropolitan Museum of Art, among many others.  

 

Recent projects include an exclusive arrangement of Keith Jarrett’s Book of Ways, which premiered at Carnegie Hall in October 2024, featuring The Knights and soloist Aaron Diehl.  With Mikael Karlsson, Michael is co-composing a new score for Scottish Ballet based on the life of Mary Queen of Scots, choreographed by Sophie Laplane and directed by James Beans, which will premiere at the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival (EIF).  Michael also co-wrote Coppélia with Mikael Karlsson for the 2022 EIF.  Released to critical acclaim, the work went on to premiere at Sadler’s Wells in London, and was honored with a 2023 UK Dance Award.

 

Michael is Associate Conductor of The Knights, and has appeared as guest conductor of New York City Ballet, the Orlando Philharmonic, and has lead numerous commercial recording projects.  Michael holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from The Juilliard School in New York, NY.

​

To learn more about Michael, please visit his website.