Michael Cunningham

Available to hire

I’m a dedicated and versatile musician and composer with experience performing and writing across a wide range of musical styles.

About

I’m a dedicated and versatile musician and composer with experience performing and writing across a wide range of musical styles. I specialise in composing orchestral music and blending memorable melodic writing with more ambient, atmospheric scoring.
I can comfortably deliver high-quality work from a remote position and I always aim to commit to the client’s vision, while contributing my own expertise and musicality. I strive to create music that truly connects with its purpose & audience and I have a proactive approach to every project. I can draw from a diverse skillset that includes composition, music production, videography and photography.

  • Joined October 2025

Languages

  • EnglishFluent
  • ChineseBeginner
  • GermanBeginner
  • FrenchBeginner
  • Panjabi, PunjabiBeginner
  • HindiBeginner
  • JapaneseBeginner
  • Spanish; CastilianBeginner

Industry experience

  • Media & Entertainment
  • Professional Services
  • Other
  • Travel & Hospitality
  • Computers & Electronics

Projects · 4

Composed a rescore of original music for the main theme of The Haunting of Hill House #orchestralmusic #composer #musiccomposer #originalsoundtrack #BBC #Documentary #rescoreRescore of the main theme from the show
https://www.twine.net/signin

Composed a rescore of original music for a section of Brain Cox's: Wonders of The Solar System BBC Documentary orchestralmusic composer musiccomposer originalsoundtrack BBC Documentary rescore

  • Composer

Composed the original orchestral score for an award-winning documentary on the windrush scandal in Liverpool in 1919 - The project was submitted to the Liverpool International Film Festival and came 2nd place within the documentary category receiving a LIFF ‘Laurel’.

The project was also selected for the Manchester Lift-Off Global Network On-line Festival
[2019]. Betrayal was shown at the Liverpool InternaGonal Slavery Museum [2019] and the
New Art Exchange, Nottingham [2019].

  • Composer
  • Film Composer
  • Music Composer

Work experience· 9 roles

Percussionist · Stadiums (various)Sep 2021 – Present · 5 yrs 3 mos

Halftime shows and match-day entertainment for Rugby League matches at Headingley in Leeds - 16,000 people (performing solo); AJ Bell in Manchester - 12,000; and Craven Park in Hull - 8,000

Performer / Percussionist · Kaleidoscope OrchestraMar 2020 – Present · 6 yrs 9 mos

Percussionist with Kaleidoscope Orchestra since 2020; headlined In The Park festival (2024) with audiences up to 35,000; contributed to recording sessions for future releases; participated in lockdown remote recording sessions featured on BBC Breakfast.

Percussionist · Release BezakenApr 2019 – Oct 2025 · 6 yrs 7 mos

International recording band; flown to the French Alps in April 2019 for album recording sessions as part of a tour.

Composer · 'Betrayal' - Award winning documentary - Liverpool International Film FestivalJul 2018 – Sep 2018 · 3 mos
Percussionist · Maghull Wind OrchestraJun 2018 – Oct 2025 · 7 yrs 5 mos
Percussionist / composer (Self-employed) · Mike Cunningham MusicJan 2018 – Present · 8 yrs 11 mos
Percussionist · Contemporary Pop Orchestra (Tour with Marc Almond)Jul 2016 – Oct 2025 · 9 yrs 4 mos
Co-Founder / Percussionist · Inpulse Percussion DuoJan 2016 – Present · 10 yrs 11 mos

Education

BA(Hons) Classical Percussion, 2:1 · Leeds Conservatoire2015 – 2018
A-levels (Music, Music Technology, Art & Design) · Chetham’s School of Music2013 – 2015

Certifications and awards· 8

Marimba One Discovery Artist Award2019 – 2025
ABRSM - Percussion, Grade 8 (Distinction)2030 – 2025
Trinity Guildhall - Drum Kit, Grade 8 (Merit)2030 – 2025
ABRSM - Piano, Grade 6 (Merit)2030 – 2025

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