Michael Fortescue’s early musical training was in Canberra, playing with Canberra Youth Orchestra, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and Australian Youth Orchestra. After a year with Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, he moved to Tasmania, to study with Jan Sedivka at University of Tasmania. He commenced work with TSO in 1976. He undertook studies in 1988-89 with François Rabbath at Conservatoire Lili et Nadia Boulanger Paris IX. He left TSO in 2013. He is a former board member of TSO, deputy chair Music Fund of Australia Council, chair of Music Panel of TAAB, president of Hobart branch of Musicians Union and lecturer in double bass and improvised music at UTAS. Currently chair of Kickstart Arts and freelance specialist in whiskers and kicks.