Michael Ptacin, DMA, (they/them) is a non-binary percussionist and educator living in Dallas, Texas. In addition to their private lesson studio, Michael teaches applied percussion at Collin College - Spring Creek and has been a percussion consultant for several schools over the years. Michael maintains an active performance schedule as a drum set player and percussionist for musical theater throughout DFW including theaters such as Dallas Theater Center, Uptown Players, Lyric Stage, and WaterTower Theatre. In addition to performing, their work with theaters includes programming synthesizers and MainStage, as well as setting up and instructing others in the use of MainStage, Logic, and Ableton Live. They have performed as a soloist with the UNCG Symphony Orchestra, Greensboro Concert Band, at Lawrence University and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. As an ensemble member, Michael performed with the North Carolina Brass Band, Gate City Percussion Ensemble, Salisbury Symphony, and the world-renowned Dallas Winds. They are a woodworker and craftsperson, specializing in building and repairing musical instruments and accessories, and their work can be found in schools, colleges, churches, and the inventory of professional musicians and performance ensembles.
Michael premiered David Gillingham’s Gate to Heaven: Marimba Concerto No. 1 for Marimba & Orchestra in 2005 with the UNCG Symphony Orchestra. In April 2012, they were the soloist for the North Carolina premiere of Nathan Daughtrey’s Halcyon Days for marimba and percussion quartet. Michael has participated in the commissioning of several works for solo percussion. Commissions include composers such as Nathan Daughtrey, Derek Tywoniuk, Che Buford, Lawton Hall, Steven Snowden, and Dave Molk.
In 2009, Michael served as Concerts Manager for the Zeltsman Marimba Festival (ZMF) at the request of artistic director Nancy Zeltsman. They worked as an administrative member of ZMF from the fall of 2010 through the festival’s final year in 2018. As the Marketing Assistant, they designed and created print and internet marketing materials, compiled concert programs and wrote program notes, and maintained the festival’s social media presence. Additionally, Michael served as photographer for the 2011 and 2013 festivals.
They were a member of the front ensemble (lead marimba) of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from 1998 through 2002 under Percussion Caption Head Paul Rennick. Michael’s tenure at Carolina Crown was recognized with the Five-Year Member award in 2002—the first percussionist to receive the award in the organization.
Michael received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a focus on music education. Michael’s interest and love for music utilizing electronics served as the basis of their doctoral research focusing on published works for marimba and electronics. Michael’s primary teachers included Cort McClaren and Nathan Daughtrey, and also studied privately with Nancy Zeltsman, Jack Van Geem, and Jean Geoffroy.
Curriculum vitae (updated April 9, 2020)