Born in 1982 in Cape May Court
House, NJ, Michael spent much of his childhood pursuing
one art form after another, constantly searching for new
methods to express himself.
During a young artists workshop
at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, at which
Michael was studying ceramics, an instructor introduced
him to goldsmithing. He practiced his new skill at home
and took a few classes at area colleges. A year later he
was enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America's
jewelry manufacturing arts program in Carlsbad, CA
,where he learned hand fabrication of silver, gold, and
platinum.
After graduation Michael served
an apprenticeship as a lapidary under Gregory Genovese,
learning various aspects of gemstone cutting, carving,
and engraving, while at the same time fabricating hand
wrought jewelry in his home studio.
In 2004 a friend offered to teach
Michael glass working in exchange for work space in his
studio. Michael was instantly entranced by and addicted
to this new fluid medium. Since that first encounter
Michael dedicated himself to the exploration of glass as
an artistic medium, and has since attended classes and
workshops at the Carlisle School of Glass Art, Salem
Community College, and the Studio at the Corning Museum
of Glass.
