Mike Gaertner is a New York City-based musician with a varied career as a collaborator, coach, teacher, singer, and administrator. Described as “nothing less than remarkable” by Theaterjones.com, Mike is a Pittsburgh native with over 25 years-experience in the pianistic field. Mike is currently in his fifth year as the Principal Pianist for the Mixed Ensemble of the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus, as well as the bass section leader at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Brooklyn). Past professional affiliations in the New York City area have included time as a staff pianist at the Mannes School of Music, audition pianist for Pensacola Opera, performance pianist with the Occasional Opera Company, as well as recitals with the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series as well as the Café Sabarsky series at the Neue Galerie. Mike’s career has taken him around the United States, including engagements and residencies at the Nashville Opera, Knoxville Opera, Jacobs School of Music, Aspen Music Festival, Shreveport Opera, the Brevard Music Center, and the Music Academy of the West. During his time at the Music Academy of the West, Mike was the winner of the 2014 Marilyn Horne Song Competition and completed a national recital tour with soprano Michelle Bradley at Hahn Hall at the Music Academy of the West, the Dallas Museum of Art, and Opera America in New York City. Mike has been the pianist for numerous operatic productions such as Die Zauberflote, Carmen, La Traviata, The Pirates of Penzance, Cenerentola, The Classical Style, The Cows of Apollo, La Boheme, Street Scene, A Midsummer Nights’ Dream, and The Marriage of Figaro, as well as musical theater productions such as Rent, Titanic, and Guys and Dolls. Mr. Gaertner has also been involved in the premieres of several works, including seven premieres on the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus 2022 spring concert, as well as the cellist Joshua Roman’s chamber work, we do it to one another, which premiered in spring 2015. Mr. Gaertner holds an M.M. in Collaborative Piano from the University of Michigan as well as a B.M. in Piano Performance with a Collaborative Emphasis from Ithaca College. He has studied with acclaimed teachers and coaches including Jennifer Hayghe, Charis Dimaras, Martin Katz, Warren Jones, and Kenneth Merrill. Mr. Gaertner has studied the Taubman Technique for 3 years with Robert Durso and John Bloomfield, senior faculty from the Golandsky Institute, and is a major proponent for health and wellness in piano performance as well as any repetitive motion activities.