Michael Van Wirt
Adjunct Faculty, Percussion
Newman Performing Arts Center, 2344 East Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80210
Professional Biography
Michael Van Wirt joined the percussion section of the Colorado Symphony in 2015. He has performed with the Houston Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Colorado Music Festival, and was a New World Symphony Fellow. Michael was also a member of Seraphic Fire’s Firebird Chamber Orchestra, serving as timpanist from 2012-2015. He is an alumnus of the Aspen Music Festival, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, and the Alan Abel Summer Percussion Seminar.
Michael holds degrees from the University of Denver and the University of Miami. As an educator, Michael has taught at the Lamont School of Music Summer Academy, the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, and was Artist-in-Residence at the University of Northern Colorado. Michael also participates in the Colorado Symphony’s education and outreach programs, including the Master Mentor, Mini Musica, and Canta y Baila Conmigo programs. He is currently head of the percussion department at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, where he teaches percussion, timpani, and directs the Lamont Percussion Ensemble.
Michael and his wife Elizabeth perform regularly as a percussion duo, including performances at the University of Denver, Regis University, and the Colorado Symphony’s Drums of the World concert. He is a Zildjian performing artist and clinician. In his free time, Michael enjoys skiing and hiking, completing the Colorado Trail in the summer of 2012.
Michael holds degrees from the University of Denver and the University of Miami. As an educator, Michael has taught at the Lamont School of Music Summer Academy, the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, and was Artist-in-Residence at the University of Northern Colorado. Michael also participates in the Colorado Symphony’s education and outreach programs, including the Master Mentor, Mini Musica, and Canta y Baila Conmigo programs. He is currently head of the percussion department at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, where he teaches percussion, timpani, and directs the Lamont Percussion Ensemble.
Michael and his wife Elizabeth perform regularly as a percussion duo, including performances at the University of Denver, Regis University, and the Colorado Symphony’s Drums of the World concert. He is a Zildjian performing artist and clinician. In his free time, Michael enjoys skiing and hiking, completing the Colorado Trail in the summer of 2012.
