Michelle Humphreys
Associate Professor
Biography
Singled out as 鈥渕usically outstanding and visually delightful鈥� (Cleveland Plain Dealer), and for her ability to make 鈥渢he intent of the music come to life鈥� (Broadway World), Michelle Humphreys performs music of the Baroque and modern eras, with frequent forays into music that falls between. She plays percussion and timpani with Opera Lafayette, Tempesta di Mare, Washington Bach Consort, and Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, and also as soloist鈥攖he last three seasons have included concertos with Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, Maryland Band Directors Band, and Shepherd University Wind Ensemble.
Michelle has recorded seven French Baroque operas with Opera Lafayette for the Naxos label, including several modern-day premieres. Notable releases include Rebel鈥檚 1745Zelindor, Roi de Sylphes and Monsigny鈥檚 1762 Le Roi et le Fermier. She also can be heard on the recent Chandos recordings Com茅die et Trag茅die, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 and Telemann 鈥� The Concerti-En-Suite (with Philadelphia鈥檚 Tempesta di Mare), DC-based Cantate鈥檚 2012 release of Andrew Simpson鈥檚 Crown of Stars, and the 2012 CD Michael Colgrass: Percussion Music,1951-1957.
A dedicated and creative teacher, Michelle joined the faculty of Towson University in 2014 as Coordinator of Percussion, and in 2016 was named Assistant Professor of Percussion. She serves on the artist faculty of National Music Festival,is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team, and is a frequent clinician and a proud endorser of Grover Pro Percussion and Zildjian Cymbals.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Towson University, a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland College Park.
In between teaching, rehearsing, and performing, Michelle enjoys long walks, cycling, and petting the neighborhood dogs.