About Michael

     Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Michael J. Calamas (he/him) is a percussionist, composer, educator, and arts administrator with a passion for chamber music, music technology, and community music advocacy. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of South Carolina in 2021, studying percussion under Dr. Scott Herring and composition under Dr. John Fitz Rogers, before completing his Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of South Carolina in 2026 under the guidance of Dr. Herring.

Following his undergraduate studies, Calamas served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Irmo High School International School for the Arts from 2022 to 2024 before returning to graduate school. Today, he maintains an active freelance career throughout South Carolina, balancing performance, education, and arts administration. He serves as Adjunct Instructor of Music at Benedict College, Social Media Director for the Aiken Symphony, teaches private percussion students and marching percussion, and performs with professional orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the region.

As a composer, Calamas has contributed to the percussion repertoire with works including æther 6, premiered at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in 2021 during the University of South Carolina IPEC Performance, as well as Nhiyr, Mechanisms, and Agnosthesia which blend acoustic percussion with electronic elements. His compositions have also been featured in the competitive marching arts, where he collaborates with designers on battery and front ensemble scores.

In late 2020, Calamas co-founded Wildlight Publications, a music publishing company dedicated to promoting innovation and diversity in contemporary music. As Co-Director, he works closely with composers, oversees the company's digital presence, and serves as executive producer of the Set to Fire podcast. He is also a founding member of the Wildlight Collective, a professional percussion ensemble committed to championing new chamber works by emerging composers. Beyond Wildlight, Calamas works in video and media production through HumLux Media alongside colleague Chris Amick, creating promotional films and performance media for percussion ensembles and arts organizations throughout the United States. View their work here.