For seven years he's been fine-tuning his voice, a clear, high-pitched instrument with a touch of vibrato when he needs it. And he's not afraid to show his stuff.
Sitting in a classroom last week with his mentor Arlene Ng and his mother Nelsy, he belted out a tune - a cappella, no less.
Michael is bilingual, switching easily from English to Spanish and back.
"When I was 2, I followed my mother around," he said last week. "I'd watch her sing, the way she moved her mouth. I couldn't even talk, but I wanted to sing."
He said he learned vocal technique from his uncle in Colombia.
Michael and Nelsy came to North Bergen from Colombia when Michael was 3. He sings only in Spanish, mainly Mexican Mariachi songs. His favorite Latino artist is Pedrito Fernandez who sings the very popular El Pastor, which is also a favorite of Michael's. But Michael is quick to point out that he also likes Hip Hop, especially Lil Wayne.
American Idol
Not long ago, he won first place in a Sunday school competition, then went on to reach the pinnacle for a Latino student - he became one of two finalists in the NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase Talent Search 2008.
He will compete for the grand prize on May 23. If Michael wins, he will receive a $500 scholarship toward singing lessons or a demo record.
And there may be more recognition after that. Hispanic Youth Showcase has been selected by the National Arts Council Co-Op as one of the top six children's programs in the nation. Participants have appeared in Hollywood films, on Broadway, Star Search, Sabado Gigante, American Idol, and at the Apollo Theater.
Contestants compete for scholarships named after Celia Cruz, Cuban Pete, Rita Moreno, Tito Puente and Beatriz Rodriguez.
The showcase is featured on Images/Imagenes, the long-running bilingual Emmy Award winning series on NJN Public Television that, for 22 years, has been searching out and finding talented kids from all over the United States, Puerto Rico, and South America.
In January, Michael and Nelsy journeyed to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's Victoria Theater in Newark for the audition. "I was nervous in the beginning," Michael admits, "but when I get on stage the nervousness goes away."
In fact, Michael operates like a pro, taking good care of his voice. "I warm up my throat with scales," he says. "I always wear a scarf when it's cold, and I sometimes eat honey."
High notes - and low
Being an elementary-school singing sensation can have its discordant notes. While many friends are excited to see him on Telemundo and cheer him on, others give him a hard time.
"When they laugh," he says, "I just ignore them and keep on singing."
Michael says he's always listening to CDs, writing down lyrics and memorizing them. But he has other interests like skateboarding and basketball that keep him in synch with the rest of the kids.
He says he's "so-so" at basketball. Standing at five feet, he's probably wise to pursue his first love for now.
Michael performs in full Mariachi regalia, which consists of a Sombrero, chamara (jacket), tie, decorative pants, and boots, an outfit that he says makes him immediately feel comfortable.
Right now, he says he's excited and anxious about the upcoming competition on May 23. "I'm eager and very happy to represent my school and my town," he said. "I've always dreamed of becoming a singer."
Arlene Ng, an ESL teacher at the school, has encouraged Michael in his singing aspirations. "North Bergen is very proud of Michael and wishes him luck," she says. "We want him to keep on trying and make his dream come true."
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