Michael Sammons, D.M.A. serves as the Percussion Area Head at the University of Utah and is recognized as a versatile performer in solo, chamber, symphonic, marching percussion and non-western musical styles. Sammons has appeared extensively throughout the U.S. and in Brazil as a guest artist and clinician including multiple Percussive Arts Society International Convention appearances, Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro and de Recife in Brazil, National Association for Music Education, numerous state Music Educators Association Conventions, Music for All Summer Symposium, Northwest Percussion Festival and various Percussive Arts Societys œDays of Percussion. He is a contributing author in the 3rd edition of Teaching Percussion by Gary Cook, a percussion methods book used worldwide. Sammons continues to direct the Treasure Coast Percussion Camp (middle and high school percussionists) in his hometown of Vero Beach, FL., founded in 2005.
In addition to his work with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, he regularly performs with various national theater touring shows, the Utah Opera and Ballet West and has appeared as a guest artist with Utah Chamber Artists and NOVA New Music Chamber Series. His work can be heard on ABC, ESPN, TNT and local media outlets as well as diverse recording projects for Warner Bros Chappell Music and the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Sammons is an artist endorsee for Vic Firth Sticks/Mallets, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, Grover Pro Percussion and is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
