Michael Sammons, D.M.A., is recognized as a versatile performer in solo, chamber, symphonic, marching percussion, and non-Western musical traditions. He currently serves as Percussion Area Head at the University of Utah, where he leads a comprehensive program of performance, pedagogy, and artistic collaboration.

In addition to his work with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Sammons has performed with national touring productions including Disney’s Aladdin, and regularly appears with NOVA New Music Chamber Series, Utah Chamber Artists, and the Ballet West Orchestra. His performances and recordings have been featured on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NPR, as well as on diverse projects for Warner Chappell Music, Utah Chamber Artists, and the Utah Symphony Orchestra. His most recent solo album, Morse Code (more than…), features newly commissioned snare-drum works by Áskell Másson, Marc Mellits, Brian Nozny, and Chad Floyd. Album trailer and streaming links are available at: https://www.mikesammons.com/morse-code-album.

Sammons has appeared throughout the United States and internationally in Brazil as a guest artist and clinician, including multiple performances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), XII Festival de Percussão 2 de Julho in Salvador, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade da Bahia, Universidade de Recife, Northwest Percussion Festival, numerous Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion, National Association for Music Education conferences, state Music Educators Association conventions, and universities across the U.S. He has commissioned new works by Jason Baker, Christopher Bradford, Christopher Deane, Chad Floyd, Anders Koppel, Áskell Másson, Marc Mellits, Brian Nozny, Joseph C. Phillips, and Dwayne Rice.

Sammons has served on the Executive Committee of the Percussive Arts Society, as Chair of the University Pedagogy Committee, a member of the Education Committee, and a founding member of the Collegiate Committee. From 2013–2016, he served as President of the Utah PAS Chapter, which was named PAS Chapter of the Year in 2015. He is a contributing author to Percussive Notes, the PAS Educators’ Companion, and the third edition of Teaching Percussion by Gary Cook, a percussion methods text used internationally.

Previously, Sammons served as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of South Alabama (2008–2012), where he founded the USA Jag’ Drumline, USA Steel Band, and World Music Group, touring extensively throughout the Gulf Coast region. He also served as Director of the NBA Utah Jazz “Street Beats” Drumline and co-founded the Treasure Coast Percussion Camp in his hometown of Vero Beach, Florida in 2005.