Michael Reaves—Violin, Principal Second

Michael Reaves has served as Principal Second Violinist for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic since its inception in 1988. He enjoys sharing a music stand with his wife Cathy, also an OKC PHIL violinist.

His mother played the violin throughout high school and there were always classical recordings throughout his home. He loved the sound of the full string section so he began playing the violin at the age of 9 when he enrolled in a string class in the OKC Public Schools.

Besides the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Michael has also performed with the Tulsa Philharmonic, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Oklahoma City Chamber Orchestra, the Tulsa Signature Symphony, the Enid Symphony, the Wichita Falls Symphony, and the Lawton Philharmonic. He has also served as Concertmaster for the Lyric Theatre Orchestra of Oklahoma City for 18 seasons.

Michael enjoys returning to the OKC PHIL each season to make music with his closest friends and the amazing guest soloists.

Michael holds a bachelor's degree in violin performance and music education from Oklahoma City University and a master's degree in music education from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is founder and first violinist of the Mid-America String Quartet, which performs for weddings, receptions, corporate events and parties. The Quartet also participates in the Oklahoma City Orchestra League’s “We’ve Got Rhythm” program by performing 65 children’s concerts for elementary school students each school year.

Michael and his wife Cathy actually live on an island in northwest Oklahoma City. In their spare time they enjoy boating, water skiing and snow skiing.