Born in Kelowna, British Columbia, Michael Dirk began his musical studies at the age of six, learning piano with Carl Montgomery at the Langley Community Music School. Studying under organists Ed Norman and Denis Bédard, he continued his studies at the University of British Columbia, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Performance in 2004. In addition to the organ, he also studied conducting under Bruce Pullan.

In 2004, Michael traveled to Europe to study the Cavaillé-Coll organs in Paris, and additionally had the opportunity to perform on a number of other renowned organs, including those located in Blenheim Palace (UK) and St. Thomaskirche (Germany). Returning to Vancouver, Michael released his first CD, OrganBlaster!, which has been broadcast on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio 2 network.

Michael then proceeded to earn his Masters' degree in Organ Performance at the University of Rice, Texas, in 2009, studying with Dr. Clyde Holloway, for whom he also served as graduate assistant. While at Rice, Michael continued his studies in conducting with Bob Simpson, Christie Marceleru, and studied voice with noted Australian soprano Susan Dunn.

As an active performer, clinician, adjudicator, conductor and composer/arranger, Michael continues to keep a busy schedule. He has performed at the 2008 Association of Anglican Musicians conference, the 2010 Royal Canadian College of Organists’ Pipes around the Pacific International Convention, the 2010 Olympic organ recital series at Christ Church Cathedral, the 2011 Health for Humanity benefit concert at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church with pianists Robert Silverman and Chris Gestrin, the 2012 MusicFest Vancouver Summer Festival, and alongside maestro Bramwell Tovey for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s celebration of the Orpheum Theatre’s 85th anniversary. Invited to return, he performed for their 90th celebration as well as for the VSO's 100th.

Michael has served as music director to congregations at Faith Lutheran in Surrey, BC, Zion Lutheran in Tomball, TX, Holy Trinity Anglican in Vancouver, BC, and the Tzu-Chi Foundation Children’s Chorus (also in Vancouver), in addition to three seasons with the Rice Light Opera Society, two seasons with the UBC Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and one with the North Shore Light Opera. He also currently serves as Vice-President and Education officer for the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Music Director at St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church, and for seven years, he has been the clinician for Carillon Music’s Church Musician’s Summer Institute.

Michael is currently recording his next CD, OrganMaster!, and teaching over 400 K-7 students at Shaughnessy Elementary. While away from the organ bench, Michael keeps his feet moving across ballroom dance floors with his wife, percussionist Annabelle Ip, and is teaching their daughter how to sail about English Bay.