Biography

Photo by Samantha Kahle

A composer who loves collaboration and the music creation process, Pennsylvania native Michael Kahle (b. 1996) has always searched for opportunities to work with performers and ensembles in the pursuit of emotionally driven music. Through these collaborations, Michael works to impart a meaningful and impactful experience for performers and audience members alike.

Kahle explores the emotional gamut in his stylistically all-inclusive music. He is unafraid to combine traditional compositional techniques with contemporary and evocative approaches. This does not mean that his music is always serious, but instead Kahle enjoys presenting the juxtaposition of the contemplative and the comical. 

His piece With Them, written for wind ensemble, was a winner of the New Music for Wind Ensemble Competition at James Madison University. In the chamber setting, Michael has written pieces for ensembles such as the Kahle Trio, Pathos Trio, Sputter Box, and the JMU Saxophone Ensemble. 

Kahle received his DMA in Music Composition at West Virginia University, his MM in Music Composition from James Madison University, and his BM in Music Education (Vocal) with a concentration in Composition from Westminster College (PA). Kahle is a member of ASCAP and his music is self-published.