Michael Lee-Smith is a contemporary percussionist based in Rochester, New York, and has performed solo recitals and chamber concerts as a featured soloist in 11 countries. He holds a Master's Degree from the Eastman School of Music, where he will return for his DMA studies in the fall. Michael is a co-founder of Blacktop Percussion, a trio dedicated to cross-genre collaboration and outreach, and frequently performs commissions and original arrangements with the ensemble.

Michael has seen competitive success on both the national and international stage, most recently winning First Prize at the 2024 Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition, and being selected to compete in both the upcoming 2025 World Marimba Competition in Hangzhou, China, and the 2025 IPEA percussion competition in Shanghai, China. Previously, Michael has won first prize at the 2023 Great Plains International Marimba Competition, First Prize in the 2023 Percussion Conservatory Scholarship Competition, and first prize at the 2022 Modern Snare Drum Competition.