Biography: Michael Loughlin Music Director

Michael brings a wealth of musical experience to the Darwin Chorale. Having studied conducting in Melbourne, he furthered his musical education in Europe including the Czech Republic and the UK, working with various conductors in opera, choral and orchestral music. Upon his return to Australia, he conducted many choirs and orchestras in and around Melbourne, including the Melbourne Chorale, the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, and was Music Director of the Australian Children’s Choir. For several years Michael conducted the Loughlin Chamber Orchestra, his own group, in annual concert seasons in Melbourne.

Michael has received many nominations and won several awards as Best Musical Director for shows including West Side Story, Les Miserables, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jekyll and Hyde, Chess and Miss Saigon for prominent music theatre companies around Melbourne.

Michael was Assistant Director of Music at MLC in Melbourne between 1997 and 2007, before moving to the Northern Territory with his wife, Fiona Wake, in 2008.

Since coming to Darwin, Michael has conducted the Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and Arafura Wind Ensemble.

After 6 years as Assistant Music Director Michael was appointed Music Director of Darwin Chorale in 2016.

Conducting highlights with the chorale have been Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man and Stabat Mater (with DSO), Pacific Requiem, Hats Off To Broadway (with DSO), and Beatles and Christmas Cabarets at Darwin Entertainment Centre.