An honours graduate of Waterford Institute of Technology and of Trinity College Dublin, Michael Dooley began his brass and woodwind studies with Tommy Joyce and then continued with Martin Prynn, Professor J.M.Thome and Graham Salvage.

He is a performer with the RTE Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra  and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. He is a founder member of the Limerick Wind Octet and the Limerick Philharmonic and is Bandmaster of St Patrick's Brass Band, Galway, while also conducting  the Galway Youth Orchestra. 

Michael has worked also as musical director for a number of Galway musical societies . He is currently the bandleader with the Moonlight Big Band in Galway and the Limerick City Big Band and the Galway Bay Jazz Band. 

He is principal bassoonist with the Irish Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the LCU Orchestra. Michael is the bassoon and woodwind coach of the international faculty of the annual BISYOC orchestral summer course held  throughout Europe each summer.

Michael teaches Advanced Theory, Leaving Cert Music and Bassoon and Trumpet as well as directing the LSOM Concert Band at the Limerick School of Music. In September 2023, Michael was appointed as Conductor of the University of Limerick Orchestra.