Michael Crawford is a Lecturer of Music Education at the University of North Texas, where he teaches undergraduate coursework and serves as Coordinator of Student Teaching for the College of Music. Dr. Crawford also works within the Percussion Area, overseeing all curriculum and instruction for the percussion methods courses and co-directing the UNT Percussion Group percussion ensemble.

Before joining the faculty at UNT, Dr. Crawford dedicated a decade of his career to teaching secondary public school throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area metroplex, where he directed various instrumental groups, such as marching bands, jazz ensembles, concert bands, world music ensembles, and percussion ensembles. Additionally, he served on the instrumental faculty at Tarleton State University (2011–2014) and as the drumline instructor/arranger for Baylor University (2013–2017). Dr. Crawford maintains a close connection to secondary music education by serving as an adjudicator at regional, national, and international festivals throughout the year.

Dr. Crawford has been invited to present featured clinics and research at regional and national conferences, including NAfME, CBDNA, National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, National Fellowship of Worship Musicians, TMEA, and TBA. As a facilitator and consultant, he is frequently requested to collaborate with area professional development seminars, teacher-education workshops, community ensembles, TMEA All-State groups, and professional organizations such as the Dallas Symphony Chorus. As a percussionist, Dr. Crawford has performed throughout the United States and Europe with regional orchestras, jazz ensembles, chamber groups, and drum corps.

Dr. Crawford has published articles in The Instrumentalist, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Rhythm! Scene Magazine, and musical compositions through C. Alan Publications. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Education Committee, a certified Smithsonian Folkways World Music Pedagogy educator, and a Pearl Drums/Adams Regional Marching Percussion Artist.