Michael Benshish has been performing on the piano, organ, and synthesizer primarily throughout the Chicago area and Southeast Virginia, as well as throughout the U.S. and internationally, since 1988. After graduating with honors from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, he returned to his roots in the Chicago area, immediately establishing himself as a respected working musician in the clubs and smaller venues of the area. In addition to his accompanying duties at Conant High School and St. Charles District 303 schools, he is active as a professional church music director, freelance collaborative pianist and adjudicator, band member/leader, and recording artist. He is also a published songwriter and a busy arranger. Michael has performed and conducted concerts in cities around the world including London, Vienna, Oslo, Prague, Budapest, Paris, and Honolulu, not to mention across the continental U.S.A. In the Hampton Roads area, he continues to be seen and heard as the "Piano Man" in Virginia Beach, Virginia, part of the "Live! On Atlantic" summer entertainment program. His Virginia-based musical endeavors have expanded to include such varied opportunities as the “piano bike” on the Virginia Beach boardwalk, “Live!” karaoke, freelance gigs, and worship music at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Portsmouth, VA as well as for the Virginia Synod (ELCA).
Michael has continued to write, produce, and arrange for dozens of projects for the live performance and recorded media markets for the past 30 years. His private studio houses an abundance of musical instruments and recording equipment, enabling a wide variety of successful projects to be completed within the confines of this creative space. Among these recent projects are the recordings of his original "Jazz Mass" and numerous accompaniment and background tracks for a variety of clients.
Whether performing as a collaborative pianist, soloist, ensemble leader, or worship musician, Michael’s artistry is evident in each of his musical endeavors.