Miriam Rosenthal Chair
Michael LaMattina holds the position of Principal Percussion with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, and he is the Director of Percussion Studies at Miami University, where he also conducts the Miami University Percussion Ensemble. In his capacity with the DPO, he performs classical programs, pops concerts, chamber music, ballet, and opera. Additionally, Michael is the principal percussionist with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra during the summer.
Previous positions Michael has held include Principal Percussion with The Colorado Music Festival Orchestra in Boulder from 2007-2014, Principal Timpani & Percussion with The ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Principal Percussion of the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Section Percussionist with the Erie Philharmonic, and Associate Section Percussion with the Columbus Symphony. He has also played as an extra and substitute musician with the Cincinnati and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras.
Michael received his Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Master of Music degree, also in performance, from Cleveland State University. He attended the Music Academy of the West in 1997, was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 1998, and was a member of The Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps for two seasons while in high school.
He appeared as an orchestral snare drum clinician at PASIC 2014 in Indianapolis and is an artist endorser with Pearl/Adams Percussion and Sabian Cymbals.
Michael lives in Dayton with his wife Lori, son Andrew, and their whippet Honey. Michael also maintains a private studio in his home and has composed many works for percussion, one of which is published by TapSpace Publications LLC. Other interests include building sticks, mallets, and percussion instruments/gadgets, fitness, film, and architecture.