Michael J. Cirmo holds a Master of Arts in Instrumental Performance (percussion) with Honors from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with Honors and a Performer’s Certificate (percussion) from Potsdam College, Crane School of Music where he studied instrumental conducting with Anthony Maiello and Brock Elheran. In 1998, he was a summer seminar student with Craig Kirchoff at the University of Minnesota.  He studied percussion with Michael Bookspan and Donald Liuzzi of the Philadelphia Orchestra, James Ross of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Gary Olmstead, James Petercsak, and several other notable teachers.

An active percussionist in the Central New York area, in addition to the Clinton Symphony, Michael performs regularly with the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Symphoria, Skaneateles Festival, Catskill Symphony, Binghamton Philharmonic, as well as the Hamilton College and Colgate University Orchestras.  In 1988 he was the Principal Percussionist / Assistant Principal Timpanist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.   

Mr. Cirmo is frequently called upon as a guest conductor and clinician throughout New York State.  As an instrumental music teacher, Michael has taught students at all levels, elementary through college.  From 1985 to 2001, he taught instrumental music in the Whitesboro, NY Central Schools.  From 2001 to 2020, he was the Director of Bands at Marcellus High School in the Syracuse, NY area.  Additionally, he has held long term positions as adjunct professor at both Hamilton College and Colgate University.  Currently, Michael Cirmo holds the position of Lecturer in Music/Percussion at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY.