A native of North Dakota, Michael Halstenson studied music performance and composition at the University of North Dakota, Webster College in St. Louis, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis with composers Dominick Argento, Paul Fetler, Eric Stokes, Alex Lubet, Leigh Gerdine, and William Boehle. His works have been performed by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Appleton Symphony, St. Olaf Band, Luther College Band, Minnesota All-State Band, Lake Wobegon® Brass Band, Northern Symphony Orchestra and others, and have had performances in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Tampere Hall (Finland), and Orchestra Hall (Minneapolis).

Halstenson is conductor of the Lake Wobegon® Brass Band and the Northern Symphony Orchestra, both based in the north suburban area of Minneapolis, MN. His Lake Wobegon® Brass Band has traveled to England on numerous occasions and developed partnerships with world renowned brass band composer, Philip Wilby and the Black Dyke Band. He has served as conductor of the Buffalo (MN) Symphony, St. Cloud (MN) Symphony, Anoka-Hennepin Honors Orchestra, North Suburban Concert Band and Chorale, and is retired from being Director of Orchestras at Anoka High School in Minnesota.