Michael Barnett

Mike Barnett balances an active career as a composer/songwriter, drummer, recording artist, producer, author and educator. He currently teaches courses in rock and American popular music as well as a course in songwriting techniques at the University of Colorado at Boulder. His eclectic creative output and non-traditional background distinguish him among his peers.

A passion for rock music led Mike to discover his penchant for the drum set. He began self-instruction on the instrument at an early age and became well established in the world of heavy metal and art rock while still in his teens. He has worked as a songwriter and drummer in a number of bands over the past three decades, most notably in the well-known Pittsburgh based heavy metal band, Phantom Crew, and has performed on many studio recordings as a “hired gun” musician. Mike has most recently focused his songwriting and drumming talents toward his current band, Terminal Degree, a heavy metal/classical fusion ensemble which brings together electric violins and electric celli with conventional electric bass guitar and drum set. The first Terminal Degree recording, The Middle of Nowhen, as well as the recent follow-up album, Breed, have both received widespread critical acclaim.

Mike holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in composition from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His musical compositions for the concert hall have been performed around the world by prominent musicians and ensembles and have earned him numerous awards. Mike lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife, Lisa.