Michael Kozakis is an active percussionist and educator in the Chicago area. As a performer, Michael has played with many different groups, including the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Ars Viva, Chicago Philharmonic, Joffrey Ballet, Illinois Philharmonic, Elgin Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, and MusicNOW. He has played in the studio for many national TV/radio commercials and accompanied well-known personalities such as Ben Folds, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Paquito D'Rivera, Don Byron, Yo-Yo Ma, Il Divo, and Johnny Mathis. Michael held two one-year positions as a full-time percussionist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 2005 to 2007.
As an educator, Michael is a certified K-12 teacher in Illinois and enjoys teaching all levels of students from Junior High through College. Michael serves on the percussion faculty of DePaul University and also coaches private students and drum lines at two local high schools near his home in the NW Chicago suburbs. Michael is often giving master classes and adjudicating at local high schools, youth orchestras, and Days of Percussion. At DePaul University, he also serves as percussion coordinator and director of the percussion ensemble.
As a concerto soloist, Michael has soloed on marimba with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Rockford Symphony Orchestra. He has also done concertos on timpani with the DePaul University and Carthage College Wind Ensembles.
Michael received his bachelor's degree from the Eastman School of Music with a double major in Music Education and Performance and a master's degree in Performance from DePaul University.
Michael is an artist endorser for Zildjian Cymbals, Pearl/Adams Percussion, Innovative Percussion, and Black Swamp Percussion.