Michael Armendariz was recently appointed to the faculty at New Mexico State University as the Music Business Program Coordinator. He is also instructor of undergraduate music history/appreciation, percussion techniques, and orchestration. He is concurrently completing his course of study for a Doctorate of Musical Art in percussion performance at Michigan State University under instructors Gwendolyn Burgett and Jon Weber.
Armendariz earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from New Mexico State University, studying with Dr. Fred Bugbee and Dr. Ed Pias. As a percussionist, Mr. Armendariz has become and active solo, chamber, and orchestral musician, having played with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra (MI), Jackson Symphony Orchestra (MI), Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra (NM), and the International Orchestra in Juarez (Chih. Mexico). He has also recently performed with the MSU Chamber Ensemble at the Annual Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Detroit.
Armendariz has been involved with new music projects, including new works with Dr. Michael Stahle, Ricardo Lorenz, Justin Raines, Phillip Sink, and Victor Marquez and was a founding member of “Sixth Species” New Music Ensemble. He is currently sponsored as a Vic Firth Educator, Tycoon Percussion Educator, and performs avidly on Malletech marimbas.
In addition to his performance career, Armendariz has also served as Vice President and operations assistant for the American Collegiate Talent Showcase (ACTS) Scholarship Organization since 2006. Other Business related positions have included stage manager at the Timberwood Amphitheater Summer Concert Series in Hot Springs, AR and stage manager for the Las Cruces and Lansing Symphonies. Mr. Armendariz is currently Technical Director for the Department of Music’s Atkinson Recital Hall.