Michael Staff

A former mathematics major, Michael Staff frequently uses abstract maths in his compositions, particularly group theory and formal logic. In 2016, Michael was nominated to create a lesson for TedEd on mathematics in musical composition, which led to the video lesson How to play a Rubik’s Cube. Mr. Staff is also of the pedagogical lineage of Haydn through his teacher and mentor Robert Hennekes, and carries a tradition of counterpoint in his works, which currently number over 200. His recent album Dreams of a Somnambulist earned him a Global Music Award medal, and the composition of the same name was selected by RMN records’ 2019 call for piano works. 

Staff is also an accomplished pianist, and has earned several international awards for his interpretations of Bach’s Art of Fugue and Chopin’s opus 10 etudes. This includes a second Global Music Award and gold medal in the Golden Classical Music Awards international competition, resulting in a Carnegie Hall debut, where he performed his own music.