Dr. Michael Stewart holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Arts degree in Trumpet Performance from Eastern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Akron (OH). Although he primarily writes for jazz ensembles from 7 to 17 players and various brass ensembles, his compositions also cover a far reaching range of styles and genres.

Most recently, he released a new collection of 17 songs, "Songs in the Key of Trumpet," (September 2015), and 2014's "Different Voices," which are found on iTunes, CDBaby, and Amazon. All works on these albums are original compositions featuring his trumpet work, and feature many different musical styles.

In the past few years, he has also turned his attentions to electronic publishing formats, with over 30 titles (including "Trumpet Rounds & Melodic Duets," "Military Bugle Calls," and "Beginning Jazz for Young Trumpeters") in Apple's iBookstore of titles for the Apple iPad, and a similar number in the Amazon's Kindle format (including two volumes of Christmas duets, "Twelve Wedding Duets" for trumpet and trombone, and a collection of trumpet duets on original melodies and folk songs). In 2013, he also released a two-DVD documentary, "The Big Bands of FitzGerald's," covering the jazz big bands of historic FitzGerald's Nightclub in Berwyn, IL.

Fiv times Dr. Stewart has had premieres at the annual International Trumpet Guild Conference, and he directed the Chicago Brass Choir in concert at the 2001 event at the University of Evansville (IN). The summer of 1997 saw the recording and release of his first compact disc, entitled Chorales & Imitations, a collection of chamber brass music. Featured as performers are members of the Chicago Brass Choir. Dr. Stewart's arrangements are also featured on the 1999 CD by the Chicago Brass Choir, "Pictures in Brass." His work for solo French horn and brass choir, "Rhapsody," was commissioned in 1997 by the International Horn Society.