Welcome to Michael Chapman – Hope Academy’s Music Director

Michael Chapman came to Pittsburgh from Trinidad and Tobago in 1996 when he was offered a scholarship to study music at Duquesne University. Sensitivity to the life transforming effect that music had on his own life, and the vital role that the arts play in human existence, inspired him to seek ways of sharing fine art with others. With the vision of the guitar as a gateway into the arts, and the merging of his artistic and administrative talents, he founded the Guitar Society of Fine Art in April 2001. He joined the guitar faculty at Duquesne University as adjunct professor and Classical Guitar Ensemble Director in 2002. Since 2003 Michael and the Guitar Society of Fine Art have been partnering with Hope Academy of Music and the Arts to give regional young people of diverse ethnic, social, economic and religious backgrounds an opportunity to further their personal and artistic growth through the study and performance of music. 

As the new Music Director of Hope Academy, Michael will  oversee all public performing activity of the various performing ensembles (EL CEO, HAT Co and all three Voices of Hope groups). Additionally, Michael will work with Hope Academy teaching artists, students and parents to increase the effectiveness and outcomes of the music instruction program.