Timbales + Vocals, Bandleader

Born and raised in the Midwest, Michael is a freelance percussionist and educator currently based out of the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. He received his Master of Music from Northern Illinois University with an emphasis in World Music, where he studied with professors such as Mike Mixtacki, Liam Teague, and Robert Chappell, among others. Before NIU, he received a B.M. in Music Performance and a B.A. in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky, where he studied with renowned percussionist and educator James Campbell. Michael has been honored to share stages with many notable artists such as Jeff Coffin, Liam Teague, Wycliffe Gordon, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Andy Narell, Bob Mintzer, Brad Dutz, Chris Wabich, and more, and has performed and collaborated in various areas of the United States as well as Ghana, Trinidad, Colombia, and Indonesia. Michael performs regularly in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area with groups such as District of Cumbia, Rockville Strings, Yatusae, and more as well as Chicago and its suburbs with Costas Colectivo, teaches privately out of his College Park home as well as with Steel on Wheels, a program under DC Strings at Strathmore, and is a freelance UX Designer.