Michael Basak is a percussionist and educator based in Los Angeles. He was recently appointed as the assistant timpanist of the Chicago Civic Orchestra, and plays regularly with orchestras all over California. In addition to his orchestra work, Michael has been a featured performer in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s “Green Umbrella” series for contemporary music, and was a featured artist at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention performing music from Cuba and Brazil. Michael completed his Bachelor’s in Music at the University of Wisconsin, and has graduate degree from Boston University and the University of Southern California where he studied with members of the Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic. He recently began teaching music through the Armenian Youth Association Boy Scouts, and is an Eagle Scout himself. Michael also enjoys swimming, and sitting at home with Gustav Mahler (the cat).