Michael Allen Harrison is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 New Age musician

New Age

The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...

, songwriter

Songwriter

A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...

 and pianist

Pianist

A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...

 from Portland

Portland, Oregon

Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...

, Oregon

Oregon

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...

.

Early years

Michael started playing the piano at age six. He was prompted by his mother, who thought that playing the piano would help the young Michael to overcome his shyness. Michael attended Parkrose High School in North East Portland He released his first commercially available album, "Tea Court Interlude" in 1986.

Performances

Harrison performed at the United Nations in 1999, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Israel's independence. Notables for whom he has performed include Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton

William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...

, Al Gore

Al Gore

Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....

, and the 14th Dalai Lama

14th Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...

.
He premiered his children's ballet "The Velveteen Rabbit" with the Vancouver Dance Theater in 1991. He also co-wrote the music for the musical "Prometheus", which was premiered in Portland, Oregon.
Michael is the owner of MAH records, on which he has recorded and produced over 50 of his own albums within the 25-year-long lifespan of his career. He recorded and performed with Katie Harmon, and has recorded and performed with local celebrities like Tom Grant

Tom Grant

Tom Grant is a private investigator known for his involvement in high-profile cases involving celebrity clients. Grant owns and operates his own detective agency, The Grant Company....

, Julianne Johnson, and Patrick Lamb.

Philanthropy

Michael is the founder and president of the Snowman Foundation. The Snowman Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating and providing services for music education. By way of funding this non-profit, Michael organized the Ten Grands concert series, which is presented annually at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon.

Discography

On MAH Records

• Tea Court Interlude (1986)
• Previews (1988)
• The Snowman / Winter ballet (1988)
• 3rd Avenue (1989)
• Moments In Passion (1990)
• Emotional Connection (1992)
• Circle of Influence (1993)
• Enchanted Christmas (1993)
• Fabric of Life (1994)
• A Tribute to Gershwin & Friends (1995)
• Little Neighborhood (1995)
• Enchanted Christmas Vol II (1995)
• Matter of Time (1996)
• Coming of Age (1996)
• Passion & Grace (1997)
• The Golden Child (1997)
• Live at the Benson (1998)
• Christmas at the Old Church (1998)
• Seasons of Peace (1999)
• The Velveteen Rabbit Children's Ballet (1999)
• Nutcracker Suite (1999)
• Millennium Live (2000)
• Cheek to Cheek w/ Julianne Johnson (2000)
• Reflections of Tea (2001)
• Snowfall (2001)
• Inspired w/ Julianne Johnson (2002)
• Composer /Pianist (2002)
• Journey Home (2002)
• Rose Garden Suite (2003)
• Expressions of Chocolate (2004)
• Holiday Jazz (2004)
• Christmas festival Of lights at The Grotto (2004)
• Bedtime Lullabies (2005)
• Fireside Carols (2005)
• Christmas on Peacock Lane w/ Julianne Johnson (2005)
• Prometheus (2005)
• Nightingale Lullabies (2006)
• Notable Impressions (2006)
• Soul Of Love w/ Katie Harmon (2006)
• Enchanted Christmas Vol. 3 (2007)
• At Midnight w/ Patrick Lamb (2007)
• Fly Me To The Moon (2008)
• Expressions of Chocolate Vol. 2 (2008)
• Tango (2009)
• Simple Gifts w/ Tanner Johnson (2009)
• Songs Of Mary (2009)
• Christmas Reunion w/ Aaron Meyer (2010)

External links