Praised for “beautiful performances of great warmth” (Classical Voice of North Carolina), Michael Delfín captures the listener with sensitivity and flair as a versatile performer of historical and modern keyboard instruments. A multi-faceted musician, Dr. Delfín is equally at home as a pianist, harpsichordist, organist, conductor, and composer.

​

     Dr. Delfín won the top prize ex aequo in the Ninth Jurow International Harpsichord Competition, shortly after being nominated to the Diapason 20 Under 30 Class of 2021. As a pianist, Mr. Delfin has won prizes in the Chautauqua International Piano Competition, the International Crescendo Music Awards, and two consecutive concerto competitions at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Recent performances include recitals for the Western Early Keyboard Association, the Iowa Early Keyboard Society, the Central California Baroque Festival, and the 2025 Association of Anglican Musicians Conference. As an avid recitalist, his programs regularly explore intersections of art, literature, and history, often involving multiple keyboards on the same program.

​

     Described as an “exceptional partner” (Classical Music Daily), Dr. Delfín commands a massive collaborative repertoire and is in frequent demand as a recital pianist and choral accompanist. Recent performances include collaborative recitals for the Mid-South Flute Festival North American Saxophone Alliance, The Stone at The New School, New Music Chicago, and the Ear Taxi Festival. He has also performed recently at the Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival and the Louisville Orchestra Creator Corps. At the University of Alabama, Dr. Delfín accompanies the Druid City Chorus and previously served as choral accompanist for the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Cincinnati Camerata. In recent summers he has served as accompanist for the Spoleto Festival USA Festival Chorus and rehearsal pianist for Cincinnati Opera. Dr. Delfin’s advocacy for new music has led to numerous world premieres across the United States to rave reviews. He recently collaborated with mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm on an album of contemporary art song for Ablaze Records. Upon graduating from the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Delfín was awarded the Sidney Friedberg Prize in Chamber Music.

​

     Dr. Delfín performs frequently as a harpsichord soloist and continuo keyboardist with ensembles across the continent. He has appeared as a soloist with Lyra Baroque, Bourbon Baroque, the American Chamber Symphony, and the Central Ohio Symphony, and as a continuo performer he has worked with the Spoleto Festival USA, Tafelmusik Summer Baroque Institute, the Alabama Symphony, and the Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival. As a proponent of bringing early music to greater audiences, Dr. Delfín serves as artistic director of Bama Baroque, a newly founded period ensemble based in Tuscaloosa. He also co-founded the Cincinnati-based Seven Hills Baroque, Cincinnati’s leading historical performance ensemble and the recipient of a CCMPower grant. As a champion of new music for harpsichord, he also recently served on the jury of the 11th Aliénor International Harpsichord Composition Competition.

​

     Dr. Delfín currently serves as organist at Grace Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa and previously served as organist at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Cincinnati. Recent guest organist appearances include performances with the University of Alabama Druid City Chorus, the UA Symphonic Band, the Cincinnati Camerata, and a choral residency at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. He holds an Associate Certification with the American Guild of Organists. As a conductor, Dr Delfín has guest directed the Cincinnati Camerata, the Central Ohio Symphony, and the CCM Chorale.

​

     Dr. Delfín teaches historical keyboards at the University of Alabama, where he serves as Assistant Director of Early Chamber Ensembles. Before coming to Alabama, he taught piano and organ at Cedarville University and has taught harpsichord and chamber music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has also taught piano at the University of North Alabama and harpsichord at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Dr. Delfin also teaches privately as a UA Community Music School Artist-Faculty and is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). As an advocate for community engagement, Dr. Delfín serves on the board of directors for the Historical Keyboard Society of North America, Chamber Music Tuscaloosa, and the Tuscaloosa Music Club. He recently contributed harpsichord and organ recordings to an online music appreciation textbook published by McGraw-Hill Education.

​

     A native of central California, Dr. Delfín began piano studies with Carol Oaks at age 9. He pursued undergraduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory (BM, piano) with Boris Slutsky and at the Johns Hopkins University (BA, history), followed by graduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (MM, piano) with Yoshikazu Nagai. He completed doctoral degrees (DMA) in both piano and harpsichord at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, studying with Awadagin Pratt and Michael Unger. He has pursued additional studies with pianists Paul Schenly, Ann Schein, John O’Conor, Joseph Kalichstein, and Bob Bennett; harpsichordists Charlotte Nediger, Joseph Gascho, and Corey Jamason; conductors Joe Miller and L. Brett Scott; composers Brian Raphael Nabors and Miguel Roig-Francolí; and organist Fred Teardo. Dr. Delfín’s post-graduate research focuses on performance practice in the piano works of Brahms, rhetoric in Bach’s keyboard works, and a new critical edition of the organ toccatas of Claudio Merulo, and he has presented papers and lecture-recitals on these topics for the Historical Keyboard Society of North America and Early Music America.

​

     Dr. Delfín makes his home with his wife Anne and their son Teddy in Tuscaloosa. In his spare time, he enjoys running and cycling, Latin American cuisine, and Ho-Am Tae Kwon Do. To follow Dr. Delfín’s concert schedule, please visit www.michaeldelfin.com.