Noteworthy

Michael Chiarello’s introduction to the double bass was a mix of curiosity and a slight misunderstanding. “I thought the bass was called the cello,” he laughs, a mistake he hears “almost every five minutes” to this day. As a nine-year-old, Michael was introduced to string instruments during a school assembly. Watching older students demonstrate, he was immediately captivated by the sheer size of the bass. 

When the time came to select an instrument, Michael wrote “cello” on his form. But when his music teacher suggested he try the bass instead, he agreed—and it turned out to be the perfect fit. “It’s kind of on purpose, kind of on accident that I ended up on bass. I’ve loved it ever since.”

Michael’s passion and talent led him to Juilliard, where he earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. In his final year, he took several auditions, ultimately winning the role of Associate Principal Bass with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. “I went directly from being a student at Juilliard in May to starting at the TSO in September,” he says. The transition was sudden and intense—“trial by fire,” as he describes it—but it suited his approach to life and music.

Music remains central to Michael’s life, both on and off the stage. “Drake has been the soundtrack to my life since high school,” he says. Collaborating with the iconic Toronto artist was something Michael only dreamed of when he first moved to the city. But last October, that dream became reality when he had the opportunity to work on a project with Drake and even appear in a video. “He was one of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve ever met,” Michael says, still marveling at the surreal experience.

Michael’s bass, like his career, has a story of its own. Crafted around 1730 in Venice, the instrument was previously owned by a former principal bassist of the New York Philharmonic. “It’s an unattributed instrument, so we’re not entirely sure who the maker is,” Michael explains. Though the bass had seen better days when he first discovered it, its unique beauty immediately captivated him. “I didn’t play it for friends or teachers—I just made the decision and bought it right away. It’s one of the most beautiful instruments I’ve ever seen.”

Learn more about Michael Chiarello’s musical journey and his life in Toronto. Watch his full story in our Meet the Orchestra series.