Mike Gallant is an orchestral percussionist and drummer based in Charlottetown, PEI. He studied percussion performance at the University of Prince Edward Island under Dave Shephard, as well as the Canadian Forces School of Music under Etienne Gendron and Dr. Jordan Newman. Mike joined the PEI Symphony in 2010 and has served as Principal Percussionist since 2015. He has performed extensively across the country including stints with The Band of the Ceremonial Guard and the 5th Canadian Division Band. Recently, he won an audition for a coveted percussion position in The Stadacona Band of The Royal Canadian Navy, where he played and toured for two years.
In the past, Mike has performed with top Canadian artists including: Measha Brueggergosman, Catherine MacLellan, Rose Cousins, and more. Mike has performed on and under the stage as part of various musicals including: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (The Guild), Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Robyn Hood (Confederation Centre), The Drowsy Chaperone (Kings Playhouse). He has performed at various festivals including the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo festival in Halifax, NS and most recently, The Under the Spire Music Festival with Jessica Gallant in her hit show as Dolly Parton.
Currently, Mike is playing with PEI’s professional big band, Charlottetown Jazz, as well as The PEI Symphony. He sits in the role of Band Sergeant Major of the Prince Edward Island Regiment Band and in the past has served as an adjudicator for Music PEI. Throughout the year he takes part in various freelance gigs across PEI and the Maritimes.