Michael Ohlinger is a virtuosic international percussionist, composer, recording artist, and educator based in the Los Angeles area. Michael is young, energetic, and talented, with an extremely diverse instrumental and musical pallet.
Michael received his Bachelors degree in Classical Percussion Performance from Towson University in Baltimore Maryland where he also focused on Jazz studies and Free Improvisation. During his senior year of undergraduate studies, Michael found an interest in world percussion instruments, music, and concepts. This newfound interest led him to obtain his Masters Degree in Percussion performance from The California Institute of the Arts where he dove into traditions of many different cultures.
He is proficient in western classical music, Jazz, Rock, Pop, North and South Indian music, Progressive, Fusion, Ghanaian, Persian, Hip-hop, Turkish, Arabic, Brazilian, Salsa, improvisation, and electronic music.
Michael has recorded on the Composer Authenticated album, Michael Colgrass: Percussion Music 1951-1957. He was a top three finalist in both the Hank Levy Jazz Competition and the Tamburi Mundi International Hand Drum Competition, where his original compositions were showcased. He has performed in the Baltimore voted best band, Bosley, and in the “Music in Media” nominated group Maryama Band. Michael has been on two European tours and has had the pleasure to perform with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
His primary teachers have been Randy Gloss, Dennis Kain, N. Scott Robinson, Barry Dove, Frank Russo, Pattrick Roulet, Swapan Chauduri, Nani Agbeli, Steve Fydik, Andrew Groushaw, David Johnson, and Houman Pourmedi. Some of Michael’s musical mentors and influences consist of Dave Ballou, Vinnie Golia, David Rouitstein, Jim McFalls, Dr. Carl Schmit, and Dr. Jonathan Leshnoff.
No matter the musical setting, be it Classical, Folk, Contemporary, Acoustic or Electric, delicate or ferocious, Michael has the dynamic range and adaptability to produce the highest level of art.
Michael Ohlinger