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Ted Atkatz is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for himself as a percussionist, conductor, and educator. Born on August 22, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois, Atkatz grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. His father was a jazz drummer, and his mother was a pianist, so it was only natural that Atkatz would develop a love for music. Atkatz began playing the drums at the age of three and started taking formal lessons when he was six. He attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where he studied percussion and graduated with honors. He then went on to attend the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance. After completing his studies, Atkatz began his professional career as a percussionist, performing with various orchestras and ensembles across the United States. He has played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic, among others. One of Atkatz's most notable performances was with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2002, where he played the solo percussion part in the world premiere of John Adams' "On the Transmigration of Souls." The piece was written in memory of the victims of the September 11 attacks and won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2003. In addition to his work as a percussionist, Atkatz has also made a name for himself as a conductor. He has conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the New World Symphony, among others. He has also served as the music director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Percussion Ensemble at the University of California, Los Angeles. Atkatz is also a dedicated educator and has taught at various institutions, including the Eastman School of Music, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. He is currently the director of percussion studies at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. Throughout his career, Atkatz has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a musician and educator. In 2007, he was named one of the "Top 40 Percussionists of All Time" by Percussive Arts Society. He has also received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the Eastman School of Music and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Interlochen Center for the Arts. In addition to his work as a classical musician, Atkatz is also a composer and has written several pieces for percussion ensemble. His compositions have been performed by various ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Atkatz is known for his innovative approach to percussion and his ability to blend different styles of music. He has collaborated with musicians from various genres, including jazz, rock, and hip-hop, and has performed with artists such as Sting, Stevie Wonder, and Yo-Yo Ma. In conclusion, Ted Atkatz is a highly accomplished classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of percussion and music education. His dedication to his craft and his innovative approach to music have earned him numerous awards and accolades, and he continues to inspire and educate the next generation of musicians.

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