Board of Directors

Michael was born in Washington DC and raised in Upstate New York. His interest in music began fairly early for someone who did not come from a musical family – in fact, he was encouraged to pursue a career in either Government, Law, or Medicine. Deep down he felt that neither of these paths resonated with him and opted for a career in the arts instead.

As a child he began practicing the violin, which he initially enjoyed during the 3 years he played but later found himself losing interest in part due to the gentle nature of the instrument and the lack of dynamics that would keep his young mind engaged. At age 7 he tagged along to one of his brother’s school parties where he saw a band perform and was mesmerized by the percussionist, this was the moment his fascination with the drums began.

Michael began his journey into drumming in a fairly unconventional way – his very first drum teacher happened to be a physicist and since his family could not afford to pay for lessons they would invite him over for dinner during their family nights. During these dinners Michael was taught the physics behind the drums. Becoming familiar with the instrument at a very granular level as the foundation of his practice.

The bands that inspired him during his early years were Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Carpenters, and Air Supply. His preferred genre to listen and play ranges from ballads to heavy metal.

By the mid 1990s Holdt had emerged as an American drummer, and later as a band manager, business owner and consultant. By the late 1990s, he was working with many bands in genres including rock, funk, jazz and Latin. In 1983, he won first prize at the Vienna International Music Festival for classical timpani. He studied with notable teachers including George Huttlin, Marshall Maley and Buddy Rich.

These were formidable years in Michael’s drumming career. They involved a deep refinement process of the technique he had previously been taught, down to relearning how to hold the drumsticks. Another influential teacher was Louis Bellson, who not only had a magic touch when it came to the brushes and sticks but also instilled in Michael the importance of remaining centered in any situation he finds himself in and led by example in treating others with a genuine kindness.

In the past, Holdt has worked with major artists, including Prince, Carlos Santana, Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Sammy Davis Jr., Steve Marcus, Mel Torme, James Taylor, Jersey Boys, and Wynton Marsalis.

In 2002, Holdt wrote a Career Guidebook, a manual for artists that outlines the steps for starting and managing a band and finding work as a professional musician. The book provides advice based on Holdt’s years of experience as a performer, band manager, agent, consultant and business owner.

He finds himself grateful to the drums for opening his mind to the world of Arts as a whole and serving as a vehicle to express his creativity. When he is not drumming, Michael spends his time as an inventor – an interest sparked from his very first drum teacher who exposed him to physics – also working with a personal trainer to ensure optimal physical & mental health to perform, and taking in the simple pleasures nature and cycling.