About

Carter Way is a Kalamazoo, Michigan–based drummer, percussionist, producer, and composer. With experience spanning theatrical productions, studio recording, contemporary music, and live performance, he has become one of the most in-demand percussionists in southwest Michigan.

A Kalamazoo native, Carter discovered his passion for drums at age six after finding a drum set in his parents’ basement. Since then, he has developed a versatile musical voice grounded in stylistic flexibility and collaborative performance.

Carter has been a regular musician at The Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan since 2016, performing both established scores and newly created works. Notable contributions include an original workshop performance and fully created drum book for Billy The Kid: The Musical (Brendon Ragotzy, Troy Benton). Favorite productions include Mamma Mia!, Rock of Ages, Guys and Dolls, The Rocky Horror Show, and the regional premiere of Groundhog Day.

While based in New York City, Carter performed at Feinstein’s/54 Below with artists including Alyssa Wray (American Idol), Carolina Rial (The Voice), Leanne Antonio (The Lion King), and Keri René Fuller (Six, Waitress) among many others. He was also an active recording musician for New York University’s Screen Scoring program and Student Composers Board, collaborating with performers from Broadway and the contemporary music scene.

In addition to theatrical work, Carter has recorded and performed with English artist Ed Tullett, appearing on both his solo project Lowswimmer and the duo project Hailaker with Jemima Coulter. He performed on Hailaker’s Serenity Now (2024) and Lowswimmer’s Godspeed, Fantasy. Through these collaborations, Carter also recorded with Welsh indie-folk artist Novo Amor, contributing drums and vocals to Collapse List (2024), including the tracks “First Place” and “Me v2.” Carter is excited to also be featured on drums for Candice Wu's upcoming EP, releasing later this year in 2026!

Throughout southwest Michigan, Carter is an active educator and percussion instructor. He has worked with Hastings Area Public Schools and the Saxon Marching Band since 2019 as a frontline instructor and percussion clinician, serves as front ensemble instructor for Vortex Percussion (WGI Independent A), and joins the Rockford High School Marching Band front ensemble staff for the 2026–2027 season.

Carter holds a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University, where he studied with Judy Moonert, Keith Hall, and Billy Hart. He also holds a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from New York University, studying with Jonathan Haas, Sean Statser, James Saporito, Javier Diaz, Valerie Naranjo, Eriko Daimo, and Joshua Mark Samuels.