Michael Krajewski

Known for his entertaining programs and engaging personality, Michael Krajewski is a much sought-after pops conductor in the U.S.A., Canada and abroad.

His twenty-year relationship with the Houston Symphony included seventeen years as Principal Pops Conductor. He also served as Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach Symphony for eleven years, Principal Pops Conductor of Atlanta Symphony for eight years, Music Director of the Philly Pops for six years, and Principal Pops Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony for twenty-five years.

Michael’s busy schedule as a guest conductor includes concerts with major and regional orchestras across the United States. In Canada he has appeared with the orchestras of Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina and Kitchener-Waterloo. Overseas he has performed in Ireland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Malaysia and China.

Michael has conducted concerts featuring noteable musicians and entertainers from many diverse styles of music. He has worked with classical luminaries such as vocalist Marilyn Horne, flutist James Galway, pianist Alicia de Larrocha and guitarists Pepe and Angel Romero.

In the field of popular music he has performed with Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, Rufus Wainright, Jason Alexander, Patti Austin, Sandi Patty, Megan Hilty, Matthew Morrison, Doc Severinsen, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Chieftains, Chicago, Pink Martini, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Born in Detroit, Michael studied music education at Wayne State University and conducting at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music. He was an Antal Dorati Fellowship Conductor with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and subsequently served as the DSO’s assistant conductor for four years. Michael now lives in Florida with his wife Darcy. In his spare time he enjoys travel, photography and solving crossword puzzles.

Michael Krajewski

“…his wry wit, as spontaneous as a stand-up comedian’s, emerged to amuse the audience. Krajewski turned to the orchestra to lead a bright, sassy account. It showed that he is as effective and entertaining a communicator in music as he is in words.”

Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle

Known for his entertaining programs and clever humor, Michael Krajewski is a much sought after conductor of symphonic pops. He is Music Director of The Philly Pops and Principal Pops Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. He previously served as Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston Symphony and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

As a guest conductor Michael has performed with the Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras; the Boston and Cincinnati Pops; the San Francisco, Baltimore, Detroit, Indianapolis, Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and National Symphonies, and numerous other orchestras across the United States. In Canada, he has led Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, and the Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphonies. Other international appearances include performances in Dublin and Belfast with the Ulster Orchestra as well as performances with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and Spain’s Bilbao Symphony Orchestra.

Michael is the conductor of the video Silver Screen Serenade with violinist Jenny Oaks Baker that aired worldwide on BYU Broadcasting. On recording, he has led the Houston Symphony on two holiday albums: Glad Tidings and Christmas Festival. Michael’s collaborative programs have included such artists as flutist James Galway, mezzo Marilyn Horne, pianist Alicia de Larrocha, guitarist Angel Romero, and pop artists Rufus Wainwright, Jason Alexander, Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Wynonna Judd, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, Doc Severinsen, Patti Austin, Sandi Patty, Ann Hampton Callaway, Chicago, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Chieftains, Pink Martini, Rockapella, Cirque de la Symphonie, The Doo Wop Project, Classical Mystery Tour, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and The Midtown Men.

With degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Michael furthered his training at the Pierre Monteux Domaine School for Conductors. He was a Dorati Fellowship Conductor with the Detroit Symphony and later served as that orchestra’s assistant conductor. He was resident conductor of the Florida Symphony and for eleven years served as music director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. Michael lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife Darcy. When not conducting he enjoys travel, photography, and solving crossword puzzles.