Composer of traditional orchestral works (the Yakima Symphony Chamber Orchestra) and film (Denture Adventure, Interreflections), as well as chamber works (Quatro Puntos, and the Seasons String Quartet), and large-scale piano works for Robert Frankenberry and Craig Ketter, Michael maintains a busy private teaching studio, scores films, gigs in clubs, and arranges for colleagues including social activist Peter Joseph. A recipient of the Presser Scholarship at the City College of New York where he studied with David Del Tredici, Manhattan-based composer / guitarist Michael Laster has been a fellowship composer at the Seasons Music Festival in Washington, where he worked with Daron Hagen, Larry Alan Smith, Chris Brubeck, and at the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival in Virginia, where he worked with Gilda Lyons.