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Still in his mid-20’s, percussionist Michael Israelievitch has already been hailed by the New York Times as an artist of “infectious charisma” and by the Toronto Star as a “very stylish and subtle musician.”  A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he performs extensively in North America and abroad and continues to make a name for himself with his insightful, energetic, and versatile performances on a wide array of percussion instruments.

A student of Daniel Druckman and Roland Kohloff at the Juilliard School, Michael further completed a Master's Degree at Boston University in 2007 under the tutelage of Timothy Genis.  That same year, at the invitation of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, he was appointed Principal Timpanist of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach.

During the 2008-2009 Season, performances bring Michael to the 92nd Street Y in New York, the Chamber Music Society of Mississauga, the Lincoln Theater in Miami, and other concert halls throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Additionally, he tours Europe with the New World Symphony and records with the Suedama Ensemble for the French label, Naïve Classique. 

During the 2007-2008 Season, Michael appeared as soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in the world-premiere of Kelly-Marie Murphy’s Dallaire, a new double concerto for violin and percussion.  Highlights of Michael's other past engagements include solo performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Koffler Chamber Orchestra, National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, Orchestra Toronto, and the Alton Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.  In 2002, Michael gave the world premiere of Libby Larsen's concerto, Brandenburg for the New Millennium, at the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.

While studying in school, Michael spent four summers as a member of the Verbier Festival Orchestra, performing under such distinguished conductors as James Levine, Charles Dutoit, Valery Gergiev, Manfred Honeck, and Zubin Mehta, and undergoing extensive tours of Europe, the Far East, North America, and Latin America.  In 2007, Michael was invited back to the Verbier Festival to perform Bartok’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion with Martha Argerich, Nelson Freire, and Gregory Zuber.

An enthusiastic chamber musician, Michael has also appeared with artists including Measha Brueggergosman, Sarah Chang, David Greilsammer, Katia and Marielle Labèque, and Peter Oundjian.  He has collaborated with pianist Leif Ove Andsnes in the “Andsnes Project” at Carnegie's Zankel Hall and has also performed at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Alice Tully Hall, the Chautauqua Festival, Glenn Gould Studio, Roy Thomson Hall, George Weston Recital Hall, and Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis.  In New York and Boston, he has performed contemporary music with the New Juilliard, White Rabbit and ALEA III ensembles.

In 1999, Michael formed The Israelievitch Duo with his father, violinist Jacques Israelievitch.  Since then, the two have commissioned dozens of works by leading composers 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 Artemis Records/Vanguard Classics.