Michael J. Polo

Michael J. Polo, Ph.D., is an acclaimed composer whose works span opera, musical theatre, and orchestral music. His operas, Pluto and Mad Hatter the Musical, showcase his gift for dramatic storytelling and melodic invention, blending tradition with contemporary expression.

As founder of Partners for the Arts Abroad, Polo has created platforms for new operatic voices through festivals in Vienna, London, São Paulo, and Sofia. His music has been premiered by ensembles such as the Sofia Philharmonic and Brasília National Symphony, affirming his role as a composer who bridges innovation and accessibility while expanding opera’s reach to international audiences.

At the festival he is Executive Director, and his opera Pluto is one of the four 2027 productions.