Biography

Musician 1st Class Michael Steiger was born and raised in Bend, Oregon, the son of two band directors. From infancy, music has been an essential part of his life. He joined the Navy Band in July 2021 as a trombonist in the Concert/Ceremonial Band. Steiger earned a bachelor’s degree in trombone performance with a teaching certification from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Music from Northwestern University. His primary instructors include Barry Hearn, Randall Hawes, Michael Mulcahy, Peter Ellefson, Timothy Higgins, David Jackson and Aaron LaVere.
Prior to joining the Navy, Steiger served in the United States Air Force Band of the West at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. There he performed a variety of musical styles for audiences across the Southeast and in Puerto Rico. As a civilian, he has performed with the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Toledo Symphony, Michigan Opera Theater and Detroit Chamber Winds, as well as in the pit orchestras of Broadway productions across the Midwest, including national tours of Pippin and Porgy and Bess. Steiger was a music educator teaching in public school systems as a private trombone instructor for grades five through the collegiate level. He also served as an adjunct instructor at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan and at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.