Michael Engelhardt is a multifaceted choral artist whose work blurs the boundaries
between the classical canon and contemporary sound. As a composer, conductor,
producer, and vocalist based in St. Louis, Engelhardt has earned national recognition
for his ability to craft emotionally resonant music that connects with performers and
audiences alike. His compositions—characterized by their rhythmic vitality, harmonic
color, and fusion of styles—have been heard on stages as revered as Carnegie Hall and
across media networks including ABC, NBC, PBS, and NPR.
 

A native of Illinois, Engelhardt holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance
from Millikin University. His catalog of over twenty published choral works is available
through leading publishers including Walton/GIA, Hinshaw Music, and Alfred Music.
His music is regularly featured at national, regional, and state conferences for ACDA,
NAfME, and the Jazz Education Network, as well as in performances by All-State
choirs, university ensembles, and professional vocal groups.
 

Equally active behind the scenes, Engelhardt has contributed to dozens of full-length
albums and numerous broadcast productions as a producer, arranger, and audio editor.
His collaborative work spans genres, including vocal arranging and production for
Grammy-winning artists such as Michael McDonald, Josh Groban, Take 6, Patti Austin,
and Ben Folds. As co-producer and vocal director, his fingerprints are also present on
projects by Brian Owens, Malena Smith, and Millikin University’s award-winning
University Choir and OneVoice vocal jazz ensemble.
 

Engelhardt is the founder of Beer Choir, a national social singing movement that
combines community, craft beer, and choral music into an inclusive and joyful
experience. This intersection of artistry and accessibility is a hallmark of his career—
whether he’s directing collegiate vocal jazz ensembles at Webster University,
presenting at ACDA and JEN conferences, or leading large-scale choral productions
with community and university choirs.
 

His passion for education and mentorship has led to faculty appointments at Mt. San
Antonio College, Millikin University, and Webster University, where he has taught
subjects ranging from songwriting and popular music history to conducting and choral
methods. His conducting credits span sacred masterworks, vocal jazz, contemporary
opera, and full-scale musical theatre.
 

Engelhardt’s work continues to bridge musical worlds—blending gospel, jazz, classical,
folk, and electronic influences—into a singular artistic voice committed to community,
innovation, and the transformative power of song. He is currently based in St. Louis,
MO, where he currently teaches at Webster University and serves as the Music Director
for the Ethical Society of St. Louis.