Within the wide scope of what it means to be a percussionist, Michael’s background is in performing orchestral percussion/timpani, Jazz, Afro-Cuban percussion, and contemporary music. Having been a part of numerous commissions of new-music and over thirty world premieres, Michael is avidly seeking out new and adventurous works for percussion instruments to expand the repertoire. He attended the Brevard Institute for two consecutive summers where he studied under Charles Ross, Gwendolyn Dease, Jerry Noble, and David Fishlock. In 2019 and 2023 Michael attended the Cortona Sessions for New Music, giving several world premieres in chamber ensembles. He has performed under world-renowned conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Keith Lockhart, Sebastian Lang-Lessing, Rune Bergman, Christian Zacharias, and Matthias Bamert.

Michael currently serves as Principal Percussion with the Midland Symphony Orchestra, while freelancing in the greater Lansing area as a performer and instructor of percussion. Michael has previously served as the Visiting Assistant Instructional Professor of Percussion at Pittsburg State University, and Section Percussion/Assistant Timpani with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra for two seasons. Michael holds Percussion Performance degrees from the University of South Florida, and Wichita State University, and Michigan State University where he earned his Doctorate in Musical Arts at Michigan State University under the mentorship of Gwendolyn Dease, Kevin Jones, and Jon Weber.