Michael Tafforeau was born in 1981 in Colmar. He started his musical career in 1989 when he toured with the “Maitrise de Garcons de Colmar” (prestigious boys choir) in Europe and United States with fabulous conductors such as Theodor Gushaulbauer and Eliahu Inbal. While beeing in the Maitrise, he had the opportunity to record “Les Lamentations” and the “Mass” by Palestrina which received a Diapason D’or.  

             At the same time, Michael entered the National Music School of Colmar where he started the cello in Olivier Roth’s class and also undertook some piano, harmony and conducting lessons. He continued his studies in Paris with Philippe Bary in the Paul Dukas Conservatoire. In 2004, Michael was selected to become a member of the French Youth Orchestra under Jesus Lopez Cobos’s baton. Then, he entered the Conservatoire of Lille to study with Hélène Dautry where he got his diploma in high education. Finally, Michael just got his Bachelor of Music with first class of honours at the Royal College of Music in Jérôme Pernoo’s Class.                

Michael participated in many master-classes with artists such as Emmanuelle Bertrand, Jean Deplace, and the Wanderer Trio. In 2006, he was selected to take part of the famous masterclasses “Académie Internationale Maurice Ravel”, to have lessons with Roland Pidoux, and be member of the Academy Orchestra in a session conducted by Peter Csaba. He also played in the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra with prestigious conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Roger Norrington, and Bernard Haitink. In November 2007, he toured India for three weeks with 'Les Solistes Francais'. He also played in the Orchestre Philarmonique de Strasbourg in France and Italy.

Now, Michael is doing a Post-graduate Diploma at the Royal College of Music and devotes most of his time to the Elixir trio!