Percussion

Mike, born & raised in St. Catharines, has been the District School Board of Niagara's Principal Percussion Instructor since 1989, working with both Elementary & Secondary school students & ensembles. He has been a percussionist with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra for the past 18 years & performs with several Concert "Wind" Ensembles throughout the Niagara Peninsula.

Mike has played over 40 "musical" shows with Garden City Productions & instructs many students in his home studio. Over the years, he has been the drummer for many popular dance bands such as Jeffrey and the Juniors, Private Stock & Undun. Mike was also the Music Director, Conductor & Arranger of The Malletheads, a very popular student Percussion Ensemble that performed from July 2000 to July 2006, recorded 4 CD's & played with the John Sherwood Trio, the Niagara Symphony Orchestra & at the OMEA Conference Showcase Concert in 2005.

Since 1993, Mike has been the Principal Percussion Instructor at the Niagara Symphony Summer Music Camp. In 1996, Mike wrote two pieces of music for the CD "Local Scores" by Niagara poet/lyricist Terrance Cox & in 1999, had the pleasure of teaching the Percussion Techniques course at Brock University.

For the past 12 years, Mike has been busy arranging music for Percussion Ensemble, keeping in mind the arrangements be "musically" oriented & geared towards the "student". He considers it an honour & a privilege to be able to work with such a tremendous group of music students & teachers & hopes to continue his quest for the elusive Holy "Percussion" Grail for many years to come!!

Mike is a die-hard Toronto Maple Leaf fan, a huge supporter of local Junior A hockey & lacrosse & hopes to play drums & percussion someday with Genesis, Yes & The Moody Blues!!