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.

Michael Cunningham

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.

Available to hire

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.

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Language

English
Fluent
Chinese
Beginner
German
Beginner
French
Beginner
Panjabi, Punjabi
Beginner
Hindi
Beginner
Japanese
Beginner
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner

Work Experience

Percussionist / composer (Self-employed) at Mike Cunningham Music
January 1, 2018 - Present
Professional musician and composer working closely with numerous events companies, agencies, private clients and stadium productions to provide outstanding entertainment at various events.
Performer / Percussionist at Kaleidoscope Orchestra
March 1, 2020 - Present
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.
Co-Founder / Percussionist at Inpulse Percussion Duo
January 1, 2016 - Present
Co-founded Inpulse Percussion Duo; performed at exclusive and high-end events for clients such as L’Oréal Paris, Double Tree by Hilton, Royal Armouries, Leeds City Council and Victoria Gate Casino.
Percussionist at Release Bezaken
April 30, 2019 - October 10, 2025
International recording band; flown to the French Alps in April 2019 for album recording sessions as part of a tour.
Percussionist at Maghull Wind Orchestra
June 17, 2018 - October 10, 2025
Featured as a soloist at the 40th anniversary concert in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (17 June 2018); composed an original score for an award-winning Windrush documentary showcased at the Liverpool International Film Festival (LiFF 2018 Laurel).
Percussionist at Leeds Conservatoire Camerata (Student’s Union Camerata)
January 1, 2015 - October 10, 2025
Toured Europe performing in venues across Cologne, Amsterdam and Brussels as part of the conservatoire’s classical ensemble.
Percussionist at Contemporary Pop Orchestra (Tour with Marc Almond)
July 1, 2016 - October 10, 2025
Performed with contemporary pop orchestra on tour with Marc Almond (80’s Soft Cell icon) to audiences up to 3,000 at venues including Leeds Town Hall and Royal Festival Hall.
Composer at 'Betrayal' - Award winning documentary - Liverpool International Film Festival
July 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018
Composer the original score for an documentary on the Windrush scandal in Liverpool during WWII - 2nd place within the documentary category at Liverpool International Film Festival, receiving a 'LIFF Laurel'
Percussionist at Stadiums (various)
September 1, 2021 - Present
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

Education

BA(Hons) Classical Percussion, 2:1 at Leeds Conservatoire
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2018
A-levels (Music, Music Technology, Art & Design) at Chetham’s School of Music
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2015

Qualifications

Marimba One Discovery Artist Award
February 1, 2019 - October 8, 2025
ABRSM - Percussion, Grade 8 (Distinction)
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
Trinity Guildhall - Drum Kit, Grade 8 (Merit)
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
ABRSM - Piano, Grade 6 (Merit)
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
ABRSM - Theory, Grade 5 (Merit)
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
ABRSM - Violin, Grade 3 (Pass)
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
Full, clean UK Driver’s Licence
February 11, 2023 - October 8, 2025
Wind Orchestra / Windrush Documentary Score (LiFF Laurel)
August 1, 2018 - October 10, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other, Travel & Hospitality, Computers & Electronics
    paper Haunting of Hill House

    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

    uniE608 BBC Documentary rescore
    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
    paper Betrayal

    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].