Michael Szabo joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as Principal Bass Trombone in 2014. He has previously held positions as Bass Trombonist with the Sjællands Symfoniorkester in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Michael has given recitals, masterclasses, made guest soloist appearances, and performed with chamber music ensembles such as the Royal Danish Brass, Aventa Ensemble, and the Honolulu Brass Quintet. He has performed with many Orchestras and Music Festivals worldwide, including the Danish National Symphony, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Danish Royal Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Sonderjyllands Symfoniorkester, Opera North, Orchestra Victoria, Dayton Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic, Pacific Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, National Repertory Orchestra, and the Cascade Festival of Music. Michael has also recorded for several movie scores, most notably performing on the soundtrack to the 2013 movie “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”.
Michael grew up in rural Washington State, USA, where he began his studies on the trombone at the age of ten. Michael attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he received both a bachelor's and master's degree in bass trombone performance. His teachers have included Raymond Premru, Tony Chipurn, and Kadie Nichols.