Internationally known for his innovative and inspiring hymn festivals and for his creative work with children, Michael Burkhardt is in frequent demand as a clinician, recitalist, and hymn festival leader.

He currently serves on the faculty of Carthage College (ELCA) in Kenosha, WI, as Director of the Carthage Choir, College Organist, and Director of the Church Music Program. In addition to his responsibilities at Carthage, he is Minister of Music at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Racine, WI. Prior to his appointment at Carthage, he was a Faculty Associate in organ at Arizona State University, Tempe, and served Christ College Irvine (LCMS), Irvine, CA, as College Organist and Head of Studies in church music and music education, as well as Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN, and Trinity Seminary, Columbus, OH, as Guest Lecturer in their Master of Sacred Music programs.

Dr. Burkhardt has performed and led seminars at both national and regional events for the American Guild of Organists, the Hymn Society, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the American Choral Directors Association. He made his symphonic hall debut in 1999, leading a Lutheran hymn festival as organist-conductor at the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, TX. In the Fall of 2003 he toured in South Korea, presenting hymn festival–organ recitals and service playing–improvisation seminars.

He is author of Singing with Understanding, a curriculum utilizing the great hymns, folksongs, and spirituals of the Church to share faith stories and to teach the elements of music and worship; and Part-Singing Global Style, a multi-cultural and educational resource for choirs and choir directors. He is also composer of a setting of the liturgy for Eucharist, A New Song. His numerous organ improvisations, choral octavos, and handbell compositions, as well as recordings of his organ improvisations, are available through MorningStar Music Publishers of St. Louis, MO.