About
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Michael Opitz is a saxophonist, woodwind doubler, and educator. Over the course of the 12 years he has been playing saxophone, Michael has had numerous performance opportunities, including appearances with Chantae Cann, Wycliffe Gordon, Joe Gransden, Tim Armacost, and Kevin Bales. As a sideman, Michael has played with some of the top call groups in the Southeast, the Joe Gransden Big Band (in which he played at the Blue Note in New York City in 2012), the Atlanta Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Rebel Big Band, as well as playing in the pit at the Alliance, Lyric, and Serenbe Theaters. As a leader, Michael has fronted groups at venues such as Churchill Grounds, the Velvet Note, and Ziba’s Bistro.
As an educator, Michael has given clinics at many high schools and middle schools throughout the Metro-Atlanta Area, as well as being on Faculty at the Atlanta International School and Ponier Music as a woodwind instructor. Michael graduated from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA with a B.A. in Jazz Saxophone, and is currently working on his Masters in Jazz Saxophone at Northern Illinois, under the instruction of Geof Bradfield.