Michael L. Janowitz received his Bachelor of Music Education from Cleveland State University and began his public-school teaching career upon graduation. Michael served as the teacher in the Shaker Hts. school district,  Maple Heights City Schools for 10 years, and prior to that he taught Band and Choir in the Cleveland Municipal School District for six years, where he also spent two years directing the All-City Concert Band.

As a performer, Michael has been a percussionist with the Cleveland Philharmonic and Heights Chamber Orchestras, Suburban Symphony, the Cleveland Winds, and various churches and community groups throughout the area. As a drum-set performer, he was the drummer for the "Mostly Jazz Mass" at Trinity Cathedral for some 15 years. Michael has recorded, toured, and performed with a number of great blues, jazz and rock bands in the Cleveland area. Currently he can be heard gigging with Gateway Band,   Tres Cervezas, You're Among Friends, and The Bluestones to name a few.