Michael Bearden is an American music director, keyboardist, arranger, conductor, and composer from Chicago, Illinois. He is best known as the final music director for Michael Jackson, serving as the musical architect for the This Is It residency and the subsequent documentary film. Since 2013, he has served as the music director for Lady Gaga, overseeing her world tours and Las Vegas residencies. He has received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Music Direction and has served as music director for the 97th Academy Awards (2025) and 98th Academy Awards (2026).