Mike Michalkow has been a professional drummer, drum educator and percussionist for almost two decades. A seasoned veteran of studio recording and live performance, Mike's infectious energy adds a special flair to each project.



Biography:

Mike Michalkow hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and would be considered by most as a late bloomer who didn't start playing the drums until he was 17. Under the direction of Mitch Dorge (Crash Test Dummies), Mike quickly achieved more than many of his counterparts and soon began his performance career.



Focusing early on hard rock, punk, blues and pop music, Mike Michalkow soon discovered a whole new world listening to some of the great progressive drummers of our time - Neil Peart, Bill Bruford, Stewart Copeland, Alex Acuna and Terry Bozzio. As a result, Mike's technique improved greatly and he began to see the potential of his talents. Mike reached a watershed of sorts when he heard his first Jack DeJohnette album and began to take drumming more seriously than ever before. He applied for and was accepted into Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta where he majored in Latin and Jazz and graduated at the top of his class.



During the summer of 1993, Mike Michalkow spent his time in New York City where he took private lessons on the drumset and conga at the "Drummers Collective". During the evenings he hung out at local jazz clubs where he could learn and see many of his favorite artists perform, such as: Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Max Roach and Tony Williams.



After graduating from Grant MacEwan in 1994, Mike Michalkow relocated to Vancouver, BC to jump start his music career. After a few years playing in various cover bands, he decided he needed a change and in 1997 was hired by Carnival Cruise Lines as Orchestra Drummer.



After his gig with the cruise line, Mike Michalkow returned home, eager to hone his craft even more. He began taking lessons from John Fisher, Jim Chapin, Chuck Silverman, Peter Magadini, Virgil Donati and Dom Famularo and soon realized that music wasn't only to be his career, but a way of life.



Mike Michalkow's passion for drums and percussion have earned him a name in the business and his summers consist of heading the drum department in the U.S. for the "National Guitar Workshop", While at home in Canada he performs with the Sabir Sisters, The Town Pants, Tamburarasa , Symphony in Demeanor and various other projects. Symphony in Demeanors first album released in the fall of 2005 won “Best Album Award” for the IOMA Online music awards with over 15,000 votes on hand. He has also performed at the "Vancouver International Drum Festival" in October 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005 by invitation of Yamaha Drums.



Mike Michalkow currently plays and endorses Yamaha Drums, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth drum sticks and Hansenfutz accessory pedals. He is also a clinician on the Yamaha electronic and acoustic line. Mike has released a solo album called "To The Extreme" recorded exclusively on the Yamaha DTXtreme Electronic Drumset. Mike's goal as a performer and enthusiastic teacher is to excite and motivate people about drums and music. This has been proven time and time again in each performance Mike is involved with.