Hello! My name is Michael Weinfield-Zell and I am an orchestral musician based in Boston. Currently, I serve as Principal Timpanist with the Cape Symphony, Principal Timpanist/Percussionist with the Boston Festival Orchestra, and Principal Percussionist with the Atlantic Symphony. I’ve performed with many ensembles in the area, such as A Far Cry, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Portland Symphony, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic, as well as at venues such as the American Repertory Theatre, Symphony Hall, and Sanders Theatre. In addition to performing, I also teach music theory courses at Bridgewater State University and have a few private percussion students. My specialties are classical percussion and drum set and I also enjoy playing the accordion. I have a lot of experience with contemporary music in particular.
I received a doctorate from Boston University in 2019. I have a master’s degree from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory. My primary teacher was Robert van Sice. Before moving to Boston in 2015, I was a principal member of Florida Grand Opera for two years and an assistant principal member of the Hawaii Symphony for two years. I was also a fellow with Ensemble ACJW (now Ensemble Connect) through Juilliard and Carnegie Hall.
I live in Easton, MA with my wife Cathy W-Z (oboist) and our two amazing daughters Rose and Greta.
Thanks for checking out my site and feel free to contact me.