Michael Weinfield-Zell is a Boston-based classical and contemporary percussionist who has performed with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Callithumpian Consort, Portland Symphony, Orchestra of Emmanuel Music, Back Bay Chorale, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others in prominent venues all over the city such as Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, and Sanders Theatre. He recently completed a doctorate in performance from Boston University, and previously studied at Peabody and Yale with Robert van Sice.

Dr. Weinfield-Zell has worked with symphony orchestras around the country, such as the Florida Grand Opera, Honolulu Symphony, and Kansas City Symphony. However, his musical interests and activities extend far beyond the traditional concert hall. He recently completed two successful stagings as co-musical director of David Lang’s the little match girl passion at major art institutions in Miami and New York. Michael was awarded the inaugural WaveMaker grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation to present Mauricio Kagel’s Dressur, a 30-minute staged work for three actor-percussionists. As a soloist, he champions the music of Iannis Xenakis, having performed his percussion works at festivals in Austin, Indianapolis, New York, and Beijing. Future endeavors focus on recording projects, with releases of music by Steve Mackey, Mathew Rosenblum, Eric Nathan, and Norman Dello Joio with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and an album of music for flute and marimba with Linda Bento-Rei.

As a passionate and dedicated teaching artist, Michael has presented master classes at numerous universities across the country, including regular invitations from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He maintains a private teaching studio and has coached students at the New England Conservatory Prep, Boston Youth Symphony, and Tufts Youth Philharmonic. Outside of music, Michael is an experienced long-distance runner, paper book reader, and social media avoider. He lives in Roslindale with his wife, oboist Catherine Weinfield-Zell, and their cat, Igor “Iggy” Stravinsky.