Michelle Colton

Dr. Michelle Colton is a versatile percussionist who has performed throughout North America, Asia, Europe, and Central America. She often performs with the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Soundstreams, Esprit Orchestra, Niagara Symphony, and her duo Oregano Percussion. She has also performed with NEXUS, Keiko Abe, and Dame Evelyn Glennie. Her solo album, Unpredictable Nature, includes original compositions as well as works by TorQ Percussion members. She can also be heard on the JUNO Award-winning album, Detach. She earned her Doctorate and Master of Music degrees from the University of Toronto and her Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa. She has directed steel pan ensembles at the University of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory, and the Toronto District School Board. She has been guest faculty with the Birch Creek Percussion and Steel Pan Academy, Prairie Music Residency, and the Iowa Ambassadors of Music European tours. Dr. Colton directs the University of Toronto Percussion Preparatory Department and serves as the Ontario Percussive Arts Society President. She is an artist/endorser of Pearl/Adams and Dream Cymbals. www.michellecolton.com