Born in 1982 in Cape May Court House, NJ, Michael spent much of his childhood pursuing one art form after another, constantly searching for new methods to express himself.

During a young artists workshop at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, at which Michael was studying ceramics, an instructor introduced him to goldsmithing. He practiced his new skill at home and took a few classes at area colleges. A year later he was enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America's jewelry manufacturing arts program in Carlsbad, CA ,where he learned hand fabrication of silver, gold, and platinum.

After graduation Michael served an apprenticeship as a lapidary under Gregory Genovese, learning various aspects of gemstone cutting, carving, and engraving, while at the same time fabricating hand wrought jewelry in his home studio.

In 2004 a friend offered to teach Michael glass working in exchange for work space in his studio. Michael was instantly entranced by and addicted to this new fluid medium. Since that first encounter Michael dedicated himself to the exploration of glass as an artistic medium, and has since attended classes and workshops at the Carlisle School of Glass Art, Salem Community College, and the Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass.