Michael Atkinson received his Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School where he studied with Jerome Ashby. He has been the recepient of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Sony Elevated Standards Fellowship Award in 1996, and a James Chambers Memorial Scholarship.

His solo debut took place with the Pittsburgh Symphony in May, 1996. Since then, he has performed many solo and chamber music recitals un the United States and Europe. He was a member of the 2000 National Repertory Orchestra, and has performed in many orchestras in his career. Michael is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree on scholarship at The Juilliard School where he continues to study with Jerome Ashby. In 1999 he joined the Ensemble Sospeso as principal horn; last season he performed Ligeti's demanding Horn Trio.