Michael Kollwitz is a speaker, musician, and author who uses music and storytelling to explore creativity, problem-solving, and reinvention. With two decades in corporate sales and more than twenty years as an award-winning recording artist, Michael brings a rare, real-world perspective on how creative thinking actually works—especially when the plan falls apart.
His journey began by saying “yes” to an unusual challenge: learning a revolutionary new instrument directly from its inventor. Choosing a path few understood, Michael built a career around an unfamiliar instrument through persistence, adaptability, and creative risk-taking. Along the way, he self-booked hundreds of corporate and private performances, released more than 30 independent albums, and earned Billboard chart placements—all without the support of a label, agent, or manager.
That lived experience forms the foundation of Michael’s speaking work. Rather than teaching creativity as a theory, he shares what it looks like in practice—drawing from music, business, failure, reinvention, and long-term persistence. His first book, Stick With It – Adventures of a Chapman Stick Player, chronicles his unconventional career path and lifelong mentorship with inventor Emmett Chapman. His latest book, What Music Teaches You About Everything, expands on those lessons, revealing how music mirrors the way we solve problems, make decisions, and navigate uncertainty in everyday life.
On stage, Michael blends live music, humor, and audience interaction to create engaging, memorable experiences. His talks invite audiences to think differently about creativity—not as a talent reserved for artists, but as a practical skill available to anyone willing to listen, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Audiences leave with more than inspiration—they leave with a new way of seeing challenges, and a renewed confidence in their own ability to solve problems creatively.
