Biography

Michael Papa is an imaginative composer with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from University of Florida, where he studied with James Sain, Paul Richards, and Scott Lee. He strongly believes music is one of the greatest influences on our lives, and so he strives to impact as many individuals as possible through his creative musical endeavors, both sacred and secular alike.

Orchestration is one of Papa’s greatest passions in the field of composition. His two most recent works for orchestra and choir, The Joyful Mysteries and The Luminous Mysteries, comprise over forty-five minutes of an emotionally intense musical journey through the first ten mysteries of the Holy Rosary. They are soon to be part of an even larger series of his sacred works with the addition of two more compositions, The Sorrowful Mysteries and The Glorious Mysteries (date of completion TBD). These four pieces will provide a complete musical depiction of grand proportions for all twenty mysteries of the Rosary, an undertaking the Catholic Church has not yet seen. Although this is currently the forefront of Papa's compositional ventures, he also composes plenty of secular works. The most significant of these are his first symphony, Upbringing (2019), and two other large ensemble works, Aspirations and Impulse, which have been recorded by the Hartt Symphony Orchestra (see “Selected Works”). 

Michael grew up in the state of Connecticut. In this region of the country, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in music education at University of Hartford's Hartt School, and also earned his Master of Music degree in composition at the same institution. He studied with Robert Carl, Larry Alan Smith, and David Macbride during his time at Hartt, and was also able to participate in master classes with Anthony Plog and Sky Macklay. He was active in the church communities of both his hometown of Granby and other towns in Hartford County, including a residency with the West Avon Congregational Church from fall 2017 to spring 2018. Many of his sacred works were premiered during this residency, including He Has Risen, The Lord is With Thee, and various organ pieces.  He also served as music director at Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne, Florida for the 2023-2024 liturgical year. As a composer, music director, performer, and instructor, he has fulfilled many opportunities to serve the community as a musician, and continues to do so today in the state of Florida.

For lessons, commissions, and all other inquiries, please use the contact link on the home page (also provided below).