Originally trained as a composer, Michael Picknett is a performer, sound designer, theatre technician and academic specialising in devising techniques. He works mainly in contemporary dance and film, between the UK and the EU. As a sound designer, he specialises in creating immersive sound music for live performance – often using custom designed multi-speaker set-ups. He often tours with works as a production manager, setting up and running both sound and lights.
Alongside his technical work he holds a doctorate in devising music from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, working through improvisation and workshop techniques to create scores. He lectures and runs workshops in devising techniques and their application to creating music. As a composer he also scores works for stage and film, alongside technical work in film sound post-production.