Creativity can be a powerful force for good. It can help us express ourselves, set challenges and achieve new things. Here, we chat to Michael about his musical journey and get to listen to fantastic piano playing.
Can you tell us more about your musical journey – how it began, how it has developed over time?
Music has been a constant alongside my visual art, developing gradually over time through both curiosity and instinct. I am primarily a pianist, and my approach to playing and creating music is closely connected to how I make art — it is expressive, intuitive, and often shaped by mood.
@artisticgemini41 Allegro Moderato From Sonatina in G, Op. 300 #allegromoderato #köhler #yamahacsp170 #piano #musiciansoftiktok ♬ original sound – MjArt🎨
My musical journey didn’t follow a strictly traditional path. Instead, it evolved through exploration, experimentation, and a desire to understand sound more deeply. Over time, this has developed into both performance and composition, where I enjoy working with patterns, repetition, and subtle changes in pitch and harmony.
What’s the next step in your musical journey?
At the moment, I am particularly interested in developing my technical control on the piano, as well as expanding my understanding of musical structure and expression. I am also exploring opportunities to learn the pipe organ, which presents a new and exciting challenge — particularly in coordinating manuals and pedals, and navigating a much larger, more complex instrument.
What are your favourite pieces of music to play and why?
I enjoy playing pieces that allow for emotional expression and variation, but I am equally drawn to creating my own material. Composition gives me the freedom to experiment — for example, working through all twelve major keys within a single piece, or shifting harmonic structures while maintaining a consistent melodic idea. It becomes a way of exploring both sound and structure at the same time.
What does ‘the power of music’ mean to you?
The power of music, for me, lies in its ability to communicate what words sometimes cannot. It has a direct emotional impact, both for the person creating it and for those listening. Much like visual art, it allows me to process experiences, express ideas, and connect with others on a deeper level. Whether performing or composing, music remains an essential part of how I understand and navigate the world.
@artisticgemini41 #duet with @Michael J Christie Art🎨 #Duet #bachpreludecmajor #yamahacsp170 #csp170 #composersoftiktok #musicproduction ♬ original sound – MjArt🎨