Michael Burritt: Teaching, Legacy, and the Sound of a Life in Music — The Bandwich Tapes

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with percussionist, composer, and educator Michael Burritt for a wide-ranging conversation about teaching, performing, composing, and the responsibility that comes with shaping generations of musicians. Michael reflects on his years at Eastman, the path that brought him there, and the deep sense of purpose he feels in helping students grow not just as players, but as people.

We spend a lot of time talking about mentorship and what it means to build a studio culture rooted in excellence, curiosity, humility, and trust. Michael shares thoughtful reflections on former students like Brett Dietz, Jake Nissly, and Peter Martin, and what makes it so meaningful to watch students go on to become artists, educators, and leaders in their own right. What comes through clearly is that for him, teaching has never been about producing one type of player. It has always been about helping each student become more fully themselves.

We also dig into the evolution of percussion pedagogy and marimba playing over the last few decades. Michael talks about the opportunities and distractions that come with instant access to recordings, the increasing technical level of incoming students, and the importance of still building a strong pedagogical foundation. He speaks candidly about sound, time, phrasing, touch, and the long arc of helping a student develop an ear that demands more of their own playing.

Along the way, we get into composition, repertoire, and how marimba literature has expanded over the course of his career. Michael shares how he approaches writing for the instrument, what happens when non-percussionist composers write for marimba, and why the best music still puts musical meaning ahead of technical display. By the end of the conversation, what lingers most is Michael’s humility. For someone who has had such an enormous impact on percussion, he keeps coming back to gratitude, relationships, and the privilege of being part of an art form that is still growing.

Key Takeaways

Michael sees teaching as both a musical and human responsibility, with equal emphasis on artistry, character, confidence, and humility.
He takes great pride in building a studio culture where students are challenged, supported, and encouraged to develop their own distinct musical identities.
Today’s percussion students often arrive with higher technical ability and more exposure to recordings, but not always with the same step-by-step pedagogical grounding.
For Michael, great playing starts with the ear: students have to hear the sound they want deeply enough that their hands learn how to produce it.
He believes percussion pedagogy still needs more repertoire that bridges the gap between intermediate literature and major large-scale works.
As a composer, he moves between the instrument and the keyboard, always trying to balance intuitive writing with musical structure and instrumental understanding.
When he reflects on legacy, he returns less to accolades and more to relationships, student growth, and the chance to remain part of his students’ lives long after they leave school.

Music from the Episode

Michael Burritt - Sweet Dreams and Time Machines
Michael Burritt - Burritt Variations
Michael Burritt - Into the Air
Michael Burritt - White Pines

About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast where I sit down with musicians, composers, educators, and creative artists for thoughtful conversations about craft, collaboration, career, and the deeper stories behind a life in music. It’s a space for honest dialogue, musical curiosity, and the kinds of conversations that go beyond the surface.

Connect with the Show

Email: contact@thebandwichtapes.com