Our Maestro

A native of Hamilton, Michael Newnham pursued his musical education at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, the Indiana University School of Music, and the University of Toronto.

While still a student, he became a member of the Conducting Staff of the Warsaw Chamber Opera, leading performances of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro", "Die Zauberfloete" and "Mitridate", as well as "Il Matrimonio Segreto" of D. Cimarosa to great critical acclaim.

Michael Newnham comes to the Northumberland Orchestra and Choir with a rich experience in conducting symphonic, opera, ballet, oratorio and pops programmes throughout Europe, Asia and Canada. He has been Guest Professor of Conducting at the Taegu Hyosung University in South Korea.

Along with his duties with NOC, Michael is currently in his seventh season as Music Director of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. His passion for music education and making music with young people is reflected in his work as Music Director of the Kawartha and Niagara Youth Orchestras, and as a faculty member of Music at Port Milford and the National Music Camp of Canada.

Michael has recently been honoured to be Music Director for highly acclaimed performances of R. Murray Schafer's "Patria :   The Enchanted Forest" and has conducted a special gala memorial concert for Pope John Paul II at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall.

The recipient of numerous awards, including 'Best Operatic Conductor' from the East Slovakian State Opera and the Order of Merit from the Republic of Poland, he was recently presented the Turzanski Foundation Award for his services in promoting Polish music and culture in Canada.