Percussionist Michael Spiro Joins IU Jacobs School of Music Faculty

Following three years as a visiting faculty member, internationally recognized world percussionist, recording artist and educator Michael Spiro has been appointed associate professor of percussion at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

"Michael has added a new dimension to the Jacobs School, and what a world it opens to our students as a result," said Jacobs School Dean Gwyn Richards. "His knowledge of a broad range of repertoire has proven to be an asset for our students and their preparation for the profession. He rounds out the department in a most compelling way."

"We are thrilled that Michael Spiro is joining us in a full-time capacity at the Jacobs School of Music," said John Tafoya, professor of percussion and chairman of the IU Percussion Department. "Michael is a driving force in the realm of ethnic and world percussion, both as a world-class performing artist and devoted educator. He has performed with an incredible lineup of diverse artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, David Garibaldi, Bobby McFerrin, Charlie Watts and many others. His wealth of historical and practical knowledge will be invaluable to our percussion students at IU."

Known specifically for his work in the Latin music field, Spiro has received seven Grammy nominations, including a nomination earlier this year for his work with the Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet. He has performed on thousands of records and co-produced and played on several instructional videos for Warner Bros. Publications, including Talking Drums, Changuito, Giovanni Hidalgo and Ignacio Berro. He has produced seminal recordings in the Latin music genre, including recordings by Orquesta Batachanga, Grupo Bata-Ketu, Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge, and Grupo Ilu-Aña.

"Michael Spiro is at the very top of his field as a performer and a teacher," said Steve Houghton, Jacobs professor of percussion and jazz. "Having performed with Spiro on numerous occasions, I can definitely attest to him being a powerful, dynamic and tasteful musical force who makes anyone he plays with sound better. We are very excited to have the opportunity for Michael to share his vast knowledge of world music, not only with percussionists, but jazz and classical students as well."

The IU Jacobs School of Music provides students in the Percussion Department the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of musical settings, including symphony, opera and ballet orchestras; wind ensemble; concert and marching bands; percussion and hand-drumming ensembles; steel-drum band; jazz big bands and combos; and the New Music Ensemble. In addition, students have a host of solo and chamber music opportunities.

 

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