Michael Skinner is a jazz drummer and classical percussionist.
Skinner began his career in 1955 as a drummer with jazz groups in the Northern Ireland. In 1960, he joined the City of Belfast Symphony Orchestra while he was still a university student.
In 1962, Skinner moved to London and spent the next ten years moving between a series of freelance and semi-permanent positions with Sadler's Wells Opera, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New Philharmonia Orchestra. In 1973, he was named principal percussion with the Royal Opera in London, a position he still holds.
Throughout his career, Skinner has continued to perform popular and jazz music, in addition to his work as a percussionist with the Royal Opera. He has worked on several movie soundtracks, including Frank Zappa's 200 Motels. And he has performed with Benny Goodman.
Skinner is a founding member of the Guild of Ancient Fifes and Drums and the president of the National Associations of Percussion Teachers, and he has been a staff member of Guildhall School of Music and Drama since 1989. He is also the author of United Music Publishers' Roll Review and Snare Drum Rudiments.
He was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1989.