- Early Years
Michael Lee Porter was born in Taumarunui on April 24,1974, the second child of Warren and Kaye Porter. Michael has two sisters, Gina and Jo.
Michael's interest in music and singing was apparent from an early age. He was not quite two when he watched Suzanne Lynch from "The Chicks" performing on Tv and was enraptured by her performance. I do believe he lost his heart to music that day.
At age 6, Michael was listening to Sharon O'Neil singing "Luck's on your table" on the car radio. On learning that she wrote and performed her own songs, Michael declared that he too was going to do that when he was older. For Christmas that year, Michael was given a small 13 key plastic toy piano and was fascinated as an elderly friend rattled off a variety of songs on it. He received his first real instrument, a guitar for his seventh birthday.
Michael still didn't know how to play these instruments and this situation could very well have instilled in him the determination and drive to learn.
Grant Shatford, Michael's Standard Two teacher played a role in Michael's love for drama. This teacher coached his class in Joseph and his Techni-colour Dreamcoat. His teacher stated in his end of year report that Michael "had a flair for drama".
He came home from Intermediate School one day with a cornet. We heard what sounded like an elephant trumpeting as the children got off the school bus at the end of the road. There was no recognisable song being played, just an incredibly loud, horrible noise. Michael was banished with his instrument to the hills at the back of our home, well beyond hearing distance. Once again, he was unable to play the instrument without the lessons required. His determination increased as his love of music increased but he was still without lessons to channel that love. It was not lack of interest on behalf of his family that he never had music lessons just lack of funds.
When Michael entered Western Heights High School, he came under the influence of Music Teacher and Dean, Rod Davies. Rod encouraged Michael to join the school band as percussionist and we bought him his very first snare drum. Michael graduated from drums to saxophone and he found that he had a talent to play virtually any instrument put before him. He had mastered reading music so he could let his talent flow. His burning desire though, was to play the piano. His toy piano memories had stayed with him and had festered a love for the instrument. Michael used his lunch period each day to go and practice on the school piano and learn the keys. We bought a piano for him when he was 17 and he never looked back. He continued to teach himself.
Michael made many lifelong friends through the band; two of his best were Mark Parrott and Kate Spence. He (and I, once as cook) went away on band camp and music performances.
He mixed this with the school drama club and went onto perform in several shows at the school.
- Late Teens
Michael grew more proficient in the drama club at school and attended The Shakespeare Summer School in the Hawkes Bay. He joined the Little Theatre and the Operatic Society and his very first role was as stage manager and a cameo role of The Sugar Plum Fairy in "Stepping Out" directed by his Mentor and friend Ngaire Gahn. Ngaire later went onto teach Michael as much as she could. His second role was as Hero in"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". He was learning rapidly. His experiences culminated in playing Tony in the Rotorua "Westside Story" amateur production.
Michael moved to Christchurch to attend the NASDA Academy for Performing Arts in 1995
