Michael Turner was born in Birmingham and, following a number of years study of the violin and viola, settled on percussion as his principal instrumental study. He has undertaken extensive work as a choral singer, being involved with a number of choral groups including the CBSO Chorus.

In 1980 he began his first studies of conducting, attending courses with John Carewe and George Hurst at the Dartington and Canford Summer Schools respectively during the 1980's. He has also received tuition from Hilary Davan Wetton. While gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musicianship at Leicester University, together with a University Certificate in Music Technology, Michael formed the Studio 9 Chamber Orchestra, in Birmingham, which gave a number of concerts at the Adrian Boult Hall to high critical acclaim. Other orchestral and ensemble conducting has included work with the University of Leicester Symphony Orchestra, appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe, Peckleton and Ampthill Festivals together with numerous appearances at the Harlington Festival with both the Harlington Festival Orchestra and the Bloomsbury Chamber and Philharmonic Orchestras. Michael was appointed Music Director of the Bloomsbury Chamber Orchestra in 1996.

As a choral conductor, Michael has worked with a number of groups including the University of Leicester Singers, City Voices (Birmingham), Harlington Festival Chorus, the Birmingham Singers and the Marches Community Choir (Shropshire).

Michael has been an active composer for some time and has written works ranging from church anthems and carols to pieces for a vast range of instrumental combinations. In the orchestral field his work The Deluge was premiered by The Phoenix Orchestra (in Birmingham) in 1986, while the Bloomsbury Chamber Orchestra premiered Dance Sketches in autumn 1997 and Waiitouqué Celebration in 1999. In 1995 a substantial work for orchestra, choir and narrator, Bunyan's Progress (charting the life and times of John Bunyan), was premiered by the Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Cantamus Chamber Choir and narrator Michael Powles under Michael's direction.

Michael worked in the record industry in London for 12 years, combining this with arts administration in the Festivals field and lecturing in music and copyright. Between 2001 and 2003 he was Administrator to the Ludlow Festival and now undertakes consultancy work in the arts and community sectors. He was Chairman and later President of the Harlington Festival Society, a Member of the Advisory Board of the British Music Information Centre and has served on many committees within the national and international music copyright business. Michael lives with his family in South Shropshire.