Drummer and drum teacher Michael Benöhr-Riveros was born on the 8th of June 1980 in Concepción, Chile. Michael took up the drums at the age of 14 being taught by the Cuban drummer David Ortega. Two years later he started to join various local bands. One of those acts was Nahuel Trecillo (Rock), which toured with Bunkers, one of the most popular Chilean bands nowadays.

On October 2001 Michael moved to Germany to study drums and music education at the University Of Bremen and at Bremen's University Of The Arts, graduating in April 2008. At this time he had drum lessons with the German drummer Helge Zumdieck. In 2005 Michael went to study drums with Randy Drake, as part of an exchange program at the California State University Long Beach, USA.

In Germany Michael was involved in several musical projects: he was drummer and songwriter for Cambios (Rock-Pop), performed with Johana Vargas Quintet (Bossa-Nova, Samba) and toured Germany with James Lars & The Sexual Chocolate (Live-Electro, Hip-hop). 

Michael moved to London on July 2008, joining Brighton's based band The Splendour on their UK tour, which included sharing the stage with acts like Roisin Murphy (Moloko), De La Soul and Fun Loving Criminals at the Beachdown Festival (Brighton). Since October 2008 Michael has been also recording and performing with London-based band Designerbabies (Industrial, Grunge).

Michael Benöhr-Riveros has been teaching the drums since 2003. From March 2007 to July 2008 he was one of the instructors at Drumstudies (Bremen/Germany). In London Michael is currently teaching at All Talents Music School and at The Rhythm Studio.

Check out Michael's latest projects at...

www.myspace.com/michimalonko

and on You Tube below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJto2k09ZXE