Michael Sarian

Born in Canada and raised in Argentina, Michael Sarian is a trumpeter and composer whose work has been heard throughout the United States, South America and Europe. Introduced to music early on, Michael began playing the piano at the age of six, was handed his first trumpet at 13, and was touring the United Kingdom by the age of 18. As a young adult in Buenos Aires, he studied with many of the best musicians in Argentina, including Juan “Pollo” Raffo, Richard Nant and Juan Cruz de Urquiza, performed and toured professionally with several groups, playing genres that ranged from tango to disco, and could even be seen onstage at the Teatro Colón, playing in what is considered to be one of the best concert halls in the world.

As he grew older, Michael’s passion for developing new work drew him towards education, and by the age of 23, in addition to continuing to perform, he became a full-time music teacher at one of the top international schools in Argentina.

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in classical composition and theory from Muhlenberg College, where he studied with Charles Fambrough, Gary Rismiller and Douglas Ovens. After returning to Buenos Aires for four years, he relocated to New York City in 2012 to pursue a master’s degree in Jazz Studies at New York University, where he was able to study with great musicians such as Laurie Frink, Alan Ferber, Brad Shepik, Ralph Alessi and Mike Rodriguez. During his time at NYU, he has been fortunate enough to have played and recorded with Joe Lovano, Alan Ferber, Lenny Pickett, Billy Drewes, Mike Richmond, and Wayne Krantz, to name a few.

Michael performs regularly with his own group and as a sideman in venues throughout New York City, teaches trumpet privately and as an adjunct faculty member at NYU, and leads cliniques on composition/songwriting for middle school students.