Violist Michael Adams has carved out a unique career that has lead down many roads: as an orchestral player, chamber musician, writer on music, radio host and producer, host of the Minnesota Orchestra’s Adventures in Music family concerts, and — along with his violinist wife Daria — the founding Artistic Director of Music in the Vineyards. As MITV’s concert commentator and emcee, his goal is to make the music sound so interesting − through insightful stories, musical explanations and analysis − that listeners can’t wait to hear it!
Michael joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 1988 at the invitation of conductor Edo de Waart following a successful stint as producer and host for classical WCAL-FM in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and later, for Minnesota Public Radio. Before landing in Minnesota, Michael passed through many different orchestras: The Rochester Philharmonic, Denver Chamber Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera, The Tulsa Philharmonic and the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra.
He is the father to three children who are baffled that anyone would pay to hear their father speak. Michael is an avid bicyclist, enjoys canoe camping in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Wilderness Area, sailing with friends on Lake Superior and planning fantasy vacation trips with his collection of maps. Someday, he will own a boat larger than a canoe.
