MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO (pronounced "Bay-tee-ohh") is an American instrumental progressive rock guitarist from Chicago, Illinois. He attended Northeastern Illinois University and received a bachelor's degree in music theory and composition. Having played guitar since the age of ten, Batio was voted the "Number 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine. In November 2011 Michael won and placed 1st in the Guitar World magazine Readers Choice Award for the "Fastest Guitarist of All Time." Over 440,000 votes were cast.