Michael L. Ma.

I started playing piano at the age of 4 and at age ten continued playing the organ until age 17.  I started studying drums at age 12 and have continued until the present.  My first gig was at age fifteen playing for my church.  At age 18 I started college at NIU where I studied computer science.  I also studied drums, was in three different combos and even studied electronic music.  After graduating in 1985 with a BS degree I moved to Arlington Heights where I found some gigs playing around town with a country rock band.  In 1989 I started studying latin percussion with Ruben Alverez and Joe Rendon.  In 1993 I had an opportunity to go back to school and study music in an academic atmosphere.  At school I studied all the legitimate percussion instruments along with my teaching classes.  In 1996 I received an Outstanding Recognition award from Elmhurst college Jazz Festival.  In 1997 I graduated with my BA in music education.  In 1999 I started a Jazz Performance degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago.  There I studied with some very good teachers including Scott Mason, Mio Tiana, Ed Green and Rob Parton.  Also in 1999 I started studying piano tuning with Nick Kircher, who was a technician in Chicago and I still tune pianos to this day.  In 2000 I graduated from Roosevelt University with my MA degree in jazz performance.  I have continued to perform with people such as Jackie Allen, Jennifer French and even Randy Brecker.  I also continue to teach from my home and from different music schools around the area including: Arlington School of Music, Schaumberg School of Music and Roselle School of Music.  References available upon request.

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