Michael Dobson was born and raised in Palmyra, PA. One day, when he was 4 years old, he was playing with matchbox cars while listening to the smooth sounds of Weatherscan when he decided to ask his parents to play a “real piano”. His parents fortunately obliged. Since that day, Michael has become an experienced musician as a performer, composer, and educator.

Michael graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 2024 with a BS in Music Education and a BA in Jazz Studies. During his time there, he studied piano under the tutelage of Eric Fung and Josh Tindall, as well as composition with Justin Morell. He played piano with the Valley Jazz Orchestra and Symphonic Band, cello with the Symphony Orchestra, and tenor drums with the Pride of the Valley Marching Band.

As a freelance performer, Michael is at home at the piano, cello, bass, saxophone, and drums. He has performed with groups including After Hours Trio, Temple Avenue, Final Boss Big Band, No Last Call, Jazz Ministers Big Band, Cryptic Tymbal, Matches - Funk on Fire!, and Modal Mixture. Michael also gigs with his own band and plays for many one-time acts in the central PA area.

As a composer, Michael presents a style that is harmonically and rhythmically complex, but full of catchy grooves and melodies. Michael’s debut album, “Sounds from Suburbia”, features original jazz compositions inspired by the things that inspired him to play music as a child.

Michael is an elementary music teacher in Lower Dauphin School District, where he works to inspire kids to find enjoyment and community in the arts. He also runs a private studio open to students of all ages. The focus of Michael’s lessons is building skills in a variety of areas to achieve a well-rounded musicianship.