First Name
Michael

Last Name
Drost

Title
Guitar/Jazz Studies, Adjunct Instructor

Email
[email protected]

Office Phone
616-331-3484

Office Location
2755 HCPA

Biography
Michael Drost is an adjunct professor of jazz at Grand Valley State University, where he teaches jazz improvisation, jazz guitar, jazz bass(upright and electric), and directs the small jazz ensembles. He is grateful for the opportunity to share his love of music with students at GVSU. As a performer and multi-instrumentalist, Michael has enjoyed a diverse career spanning jazz, commercial music, recording, and live performance. His versatility has allowed him to share the stage with an eclectic mix of artists, including Caissie Levy (Wicked, Ghost), Jonathan Brandmeier, Frank Stallone, John Slade, Paul Mabin, Michael Harvey, Mel Tormé, Kenny Werner, Darmon Meader, and the touring cast of Anything Goes. Throughout his career, Michael has performed with numerous Midwest musical groups and artists, including Jazz 150, the Take Three Jazz Trio, Standing Room Only Orchestra, Generations, Groove Merchant, Groove Solution, Daniel James Band, NYCO, Three Cent Stomp, and the Holland Symphony Orchestra. Michael's work as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music producer has also taken him into recording studios and jingle houses throughout the Midwest. His playing and compositions have been featured in television and radio advertising for organizations including Amtrak, Discover Card, Comcast Sports, CNN Sports Retro, America's Test Kitchen, The Musky Hunter, Tim Hawkins Comedy, The Huntin' Junky, and many others. Much of his production work has been composed and produced for Digital Juice, a royalty-free music library, with his music continuing to receive network placement. In addition to performing and teaching, Michael currently builds double basses part-time through his company, Michigan Double Bass Company. He also performs approximately 160 dates each year with his group, Jazz 150, bringing live jazz to a wide variety of audiences and communities. These opportunities allow him to continue learning, creating, and sharing music outside of the classroom. Michael graduated cum laude from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in Music. During his formative years, he was fortunate to study with Craig Linenberger, Steve Zegree, Trent Kynaston, Fareed Haque, Tom Knific, and Bob Palmieri. While at Western Michigan University, he received two DownBeat magazine awards for "Best Jazz Instrumentalist" and "Best Blues/Pop/Rock Group." Michael considers himself especially fortunate to have built a life around music. Whether teaching, performing, composing, producing, or building instruments, he remains grateful for the many teachers, colleagues, students, friends, and audiences who have shaped his journey and continue to make music such a meaningful part of his life.