MICHAEL WARD-BERGMAN is a passionate performer, songwriter and composer.  His sensitive and creative approach to music making has led to performances and collaborations with world-class musicians and composers from across a wide range of genres.

In 2011 he launched his GIG 365 project, which saw him performing at least one gig for every day of 2011. Performances took place at an incredibly diverse range of venues in over thirty-five states and nine countries.  Highlights included performances at Gainesville Correctional Facility, Harvard Business School with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, and on the streets of New Orleans.

Ward-Bergeman has enjoyed a close friendship and working relationship with composer Osvaldo Golijov for over a decade. His work with the hyper-accordion (an acoustic accordion with extended range and expressive capabilities of his own design) has been featured in many of Golijov’s compositions.

Ward-Bergeman’s electro-acoustic compositions have won international awards and he has premiered new works written for vocalists Dawn Upshaw and Christina Courtin at Carnegie Hall. In 2011 he was commissioned to compose for Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project. He began his work with the group as a guest artist during workshops and performances at Harvard University.

Ward-Bergeman is a founding member of the North American Roots music trio Groanbox. They have released five recordings and toured extensively throughout the UK, to much critical acclaim. 

He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music.

He is online at www.mjwb.co.uk and www.gig365.com