BMus Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Canada B4P 2R6
Michael Caines received his Bachelor of Music degree from Acadia University in Piano Performance, having studied with John Hansen, and has done graduate study in Piano Performance at l’Universite de Montreal with Jean Saulnier. As a pianist, he has represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian National Music Festival.
He has also pursued post-graduate choral studies at Westminster Choir College where he has studied with Charles Bruffy, Weston Noble, and Bruce Chamberlain.
Michael has been Director of the University Chorus since 2007. During that period, he has overseen an increase of the ensemble’s membership to well over one hundred members. As Chorus director he has conducted many large-scale choral works, many in collaboration with the Acadia Orchestra, including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Vivaldi’s Dixit Dominus, Faure’s Requiem, and John Rutter’s Requiem and Gloria. He has also promoted and performed the works of contemporary composers including Tarik O’Regan, Karl Jenkins, James Whitbourn, and Ola Gjeilo to name a few. In 2012, he led the Canadian premiere of Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass.
He has also spearheaded the Christmas at Acadia choral concert which has become an annual tradition and favourite among concert-goers in the Acadia community and throughout the region.
When not directing the University Chorus, Michael works as faculty member at the Nova Scotia Community College where he teaches Programming, Web Technologies, Database Programming, and various other computer technologies as part of NSCC’s Information Technology Diploma Program.