While pursuing a violin performance degree at Boston University, J Michael Compton was overheard singing his violin music (at pitch!), and was promptly thrust into Boston's flourishing early music scene. His first professional post was in the choir of First and Second Church in the Back-Bay neighborhood. In the Twin Cities, he has performed with several early music groups, and joined The Gregorian Singers in its early years as an all-male ensemble. Michael studied organ with the late Howard Don Small, Canon Musician Emeritus at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, and he has served as Director of Music at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church since 1983. He enjoys editing and performing neglected baroque masterpieces as well as composing new works, including a setting of the Passion and a Celtic Mass. Michael continues to perform on both modern and baroque violin. His other interests include antique-collecting and photography.