As an internationally recognized percussionist and composer, Michael Bump brings many years of professional experience in a number of arenas. For over 35 years, he has enjoyed synthesizing and sharing these experiences with his students at universities such as the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), the Ohio State University, and Truman State University. He has also served on the faculties of the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, (TN) and the Illinois Summer Youth Music Program.

He holds graduate degrees in Performance & Literature from the University of Illinois (Edgard Varese Percussion Award Distinction) and the BME degree from the University of Memphis, studying with such artist-teachers as Fred D. Hinger (Philadelphia Orch), Frank Shaffer, Tom Siwe, and Paul Yancich (Cleveland Orch).

Orchestral performance experiences include Principal timpanist with the Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra, Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival, Cullowhee Music Festival, and Sewanee Summer Music Festival. He has also served as Percussionist/Assistant timpanist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Opera, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Opera, Chicago City Ballet, and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra.

Having been active in the marching percussion idiom, Michael served as percussion coordinator and arranger for the Memphis Blues Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as an instructor/arranger for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and the University of Illinois Indoor Drumline. As a steel pan enthusiast, he was a founding member of the I-Pan steel ensemble, and arranged for and co-produced the group's debut CD, Everything's Alright.

Michael has given solo performances and educational presentations at venues throughout the U.S., including featured timpani soloist/clinician at the World Saxophone Congress, PASIC, as well as numerous State MEA/CBDNA conventions, universities and conservatories. His 2011 research sabbatical brought him to Trinidad and Tobago, where he performed with the Woodbrook Invaders at the National Panorama Competition, as well as presented clinics at the University of the West Indies.

Michael is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Board of Advisors and the Missouri Arts Council Review Board. In addition to serving as a Pearl/Adams artist-endorser, he is an artist/endorser for Innovative Percussion, Inc., Evans, and Sabian Ltd. His works for percussion are published by Arrangers Publishing Co., Studio 4 Productions, Media Press, and Music for Percussion, Inc.