About the instructor:

Michael Downing is section percussionist with the Sacramento Philharmonic and the Stockton Symphony, as well as the founder of the Orphic Percussion Quartet.  As an active freelance musician, he has performed with the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, as well as virtually every orchestra in Central California.  

Michael has been featured as a soloist with both the Phoenix Symphony and the Stockton Symphony performing "Uzu and Muzu from Kakaruzu".  He has been featured six times as the vibraphone soloist for John William's Escapades, including with Branford Marsalis.

Michael studied primarily with Jacob Nissly of the San Francisco Symphony, Jim Babor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Dr. Matthew Darling of Fresno State.  

Michael is a Zildjian Orchestral Artist, an Education Artist for Marimba One, an artist endorser for Freer Percussion, and part of the Blackswamp Percussion Educator Network.