michael is a drummer and contemporary classical percussionist based in New york city and is a co-founder and artistic director of Mantra Percussion — a percussion sextet dedicated to commissioning new works by living composers, collaborating with artists from diverse genres and styles, and engaging new audiences by challenging the standard concert format through evening-length events that look toward a grander artistic vision. 

in addition to his work with mantra percussion and his work as a freelance classical percussionist, a clinician and a soloist, michael works as drummer with acclaimed progressive rock bands. recent projects have included the knells, hi red center and, most recently, hoferlanz with ben lanz (the national/beirut), aaron arntz (grizzly bear), logan coale (now ensemble) and sebastian krueger (the inlets).  

as a classical performer, michael focuses on commissioning, premiering and recording music written by living composers. many of his collaborations blend music with dance, with text and theatre, and with electronics or interactive computer. 

in addition to performing, michael manages Red Poppy Music — publishing, promoting and managing the works of Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe, the co-founders of Bang on a can.