Mike Marcinowski

Drums and Percussion

Mike Marcinowski is a drummer, composer and educator is based in Saint Paul, MN. Drawing from his years of professional experience, Mike is equally at home in rock, jazz and contemporary classical music. While primarily a drum set player, Mike also plays and teaches classical percussion, djembe, dunduns, congas and piano. His current projects include the solo drums/synth act Big Ceremony and Ressik - an improvised sax, drums and drum trio. He can also be found collaborating with like-minded musicians, dancers and singers.

Mike earned degrees in Classical Percussion Performance and Ethnomusicology from Holyoke Community College and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. As part of his education, he traveled to Bamako, Mali to study folkloric drumming with master drummer Karim Tounkara of Les Ballets Malien. His principal teachers have been Bob Gullotti, Bob Weiner, Chad Taylor, Sekou Sylla, Morgan Zwerlein, Christopher Swist, Gerald Cleaver and Aleksandra Kocheva. Mike has toured the US multiple times with alternative rock bands and avant-garde musical theater/cabaret acts, and enjoys performing in large concert halls and DIY art spaces equally.

Mike has nearly two decades years of teaching experience, and mentors students of all ages and ability levels. His teaching philosophy is to focus on the fun and joyous elements of music, and let the students guide the rest. Each student is an individual with specific interests, goals and learning styles and Mike creates a unique lesson plan for each. Topics include technique, coordination, groove studies, chart reading, improvisation, performance practices, goal setting, guided listening and composition.