Michael Kemp, a native of Rochester, NY, was appointed Principal Timpanist of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 2015. Prior to this, he served as the Principal Timpanist of the Erie Philharmonic in Erie, PA.

In demand as a Guest Principal Timpanist, Michael has appeared with many orchestras including the Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, West Virginia Symphony, and the Reading Symphony. He has also performed as a percussionist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and can be heard performing on the NAXOS label.  

Michael received both his Bachelors and Masters degree in Percussion Performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he studied with Edward Stephan, Chris Allen, Andrew Reamer, and Jeremy Branson of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Mr. Kemp attended Cleveland State University where he studied with Tom Freer of the Cleveland Orchestra.

Michael previously served as the Principal Timpanist of the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, CO and has attended the Aspen Music Festival, Brevard Music Center Institute, and the Chautauqua Music Festival. Mr. Kemp is a proud endorser of Remo percussion products.