Michael Nassauer was born in Betzdorf (near Siegen) and has been the director of the Philharmonie Südwestfalen (Philharmonic Orchestra of Südwestfalen) since 2014. He began his musical career as a horn player and has participated in various concerts, orchestras and philharmonical arrangements. Since the winter of 2008/09 he has been teaching at the University of Siegen. Michael Nassauer is also a member of the board of trustees of the Philharmonie Südwestfalen Foundation, a member of the board of trustees of the Barbara Lambrecht Foundation, and a member of the supporting association and the program advisory board of the Apollo Theater Siegen. In 2018 he was also appointed to the Federal Committee on Education of the German Music Council.