Michael was born in Long Island, New York.  Influenced by his father, who is also a drummer, Michael started playing drums at the age of nine.  He played in the school band while additionally improving his skills through private lessons with both his father and other notable instructors.  Altogether, he has been studying the drums for 28 years and continues to improve on his skills.  Michael recently played in an original music band called Stealing December, in addition to being one of the top educators in the area.  He teaches percussion to both children and adults.  His desire and love for teaching is attributed to his patience, diligent follow-up and his overall enjoyment of watching his students broaden their musical horizons.  With his many years of drumming, he excels in teaching his students to read music and develop their skills, especially in the styles of rock and funk.  In addition, Michael is one of the few drum instructors who has taught autistic children. 

Michael is currently in charge of running the Accent Live! Rock School, at the Concord Pike location, which teaches kids ages 10-18 in structured group rehearsals led by professional musicians. They learn everything they need to perform a live gig in front of real crowds.  Shows are geared to the ability level of each student.  Many of his students have gone on to study music at many musical institutions including the Berklee College of Music.  Michael has one former pupil, Dennis Wilson, in Fearless Records recording artists Every Avenue, an up-and-coming band that has been seen around the world on numerous tours, as well as on MTV and Fuse.TV.

Among Michael’s most notable experiences was a recording session with Grammy Award winner and jazz great Arturo Sandoval.  Additionally, Michael performed in the rock opera “Rasputin,” written and produced by Michael Rapp and starring singer/performer Ted Neeley.  Both artists are from one of Broadway’s longest running hits “Jesus Christ Superstar.”  Michael has worked numerous studio sessions in Delaware as well as Philadelphia for several artists.  More recently Michael was the backbone of the rock band Stealing December, which was formed in March 2005.  The band was voted by fans across the United States as the 2006 Zippo Hot Tour winner and embarked on a 14-date national tour with five-times platinum Geffen recording artists Papa Roach. They also played with notable bands Paramore, Boys Like GIrls and Flyleaf to name a few.  Michael and his band appeared on TV Guide Channel on Demand, HDNet, MTV radio and Fuse.TV.  In February 2007,

Michael was named Best Drummer by Delaware radio station 93.7 WSTW, as voted on by its Delaware Valley listeners.  Along with the individual honor, his band Stealing December received Best Band and Best Album accolades.  In April 2008, the band earned the Delaware Music Awards’ Best Rock Act award, presented by Spark Magazine.  Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Wilmington College in May 1997.