Michael first felt the pull of the drums when his parents bought him a Muppet Show drumset for Christmas when he was 4. At age 8, he began taking lessons in a local summer music program through the school system, taking piano lessons as well. During this time, he also began singing in his church choir. Through school, Michael took lessons with his band director, Joe Kraemer, as well as studying with Steven Gerard & Eddie Fay, & grabbing every chance to perform that he could. He was a member of the Belleville High School marching band, concert band, orchestra, choir, & jazz ensemble. He was selected to the North Jersey Regional Choir twice. He was also a member of the percussion section of the Bloomfield Civic Band, Garden State Marching Band, & Garden State Concert Band, all under the direction of Dominick Ferrara IV. During his senior year of high school, Michael studied with Gerry Polci, of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons fame. He also played in the pit for a musical for the first time, handling drums & percussion for Hackensack High School's production of West Side Story. 

 

Michael attended Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University) for music. While there, he had the opportunity to study with Robert Romeo, Nicholas Cerrato, Jim Neglia, & John Serry. In addition to being a member of the college's wind ensemble, orchestra, choir & percussion ensemble, Michael also was in the pit for the school's production of Carmen. He spent 2 seasons instructing drumline with the marching band at Rutherford High School, under the direction of Don Baker, & 1 season as Assistant Band Director at Park Ridge High School, under the direction of Rick Popolizio, as well as taking on some private students. Michael played in the pit for theatrical productions at Bergen County Community College, as well as Hackensack, Jersey City, Belleville & White Township public schools. He has also provided percussion accompaniment for the North Jersey Children's Choir, under the direction of Lourdes Armada, New Jersey All-State Choir, & the Mel-O-Chords, a Broadway-style singing group based out of the Montclair Operetta Club.

 

Michael has also been seen performing with bands such as Shelly Riff, & cover bands such as One Flight Up, Three Card Monte, Six To Midnight, & SunDog. He can currently be seen drumming & singing with Relapse. Michael resides in Hillsborough, NJ & is available for live & studio situations, as well as private lessons.

 

While not endorsed, Michael proudly plays DW drums & hardware & Zildjian cymbals & drumsticks.