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Still in his mid-20’s, percussionist Michael Israelievitch has been hailed by the New York Times for his “infectious charisma” and by the Toronto Star as a “very stylish and subtle musician.”  He has garnered praise for his musicality and versatility as a solo, chamber, and orchestral player.

Michael is the newly appointed Principal Timpanist and Percussionist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.  Prior to this position, he spent two and a half seasons as Principal Timpanist of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach.

During the 2011-12 Season, Michael gives his Minnesota concerto debut with the SPCO and conductor Roberto Abbado in performances of James MacMillan’s percussion concerto, Veni, Veni, Emmanuel.  He has also appeared as soloist with several orchestras including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where he premiered new concertos by Kelly-Marie Murphy and Alexander Levkovich.  As an orchestral percussionist, Michael has played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, performed as guest timpanist with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and since 2009, the Sun Valley Summer Symphony.

While still in school, Michael spent four summers as a member of the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland, working with such distinguished conductors as James Levine, Charles Dutoit, Valery Gergiev, Manfred Honeck, Zubin Mehta, and Michael Tilson Thomas, and undergoing extensive tours of Europe, the Far East, North America, and Latin America.

Michael has collaborated with artists including Martha Argerich, Measha Brueggergosman, Nelson Freire, Peter Oundjian, and his father Jacques Israelievitch, and has performed chamber concerts at the Verbier Festival, Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Chautauqua Festival, Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, and in New York City at Alice Tully Hall, Bargemusic, and Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall with pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.  He has premiered works by leading composers including Samuel Adler, Michael Colgrass, and Libby Larsen.

In 1999, Michael formed The Israelievitch Duo with his father, violinist Jacques Israelievitch.  Since then, the two have commissioned dozens of works and have performed extensively in recital and with orchestra.  In 2006, they released their first commercial recording, entitled Hammer and Bow.

Michael's performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and in Europe on BBC Radio 3, Radio Suisse Romande, and the ARTE television network.  He can also be heard on recordings for Fleur de Son Classics and Vanguard Classics.

A former student of Daniel Druckman and Roland Kohloff at the Juilliard School, Michael completed his Master's Degree in 2007 at Boston University under the tutelage of Timothy Genis.

Michael is a Zildjian Orchestral Artist and also endorses Pro-Mark drumsticks and Evans Drumheads.