Michael Mermagen, (M.M. The Juilliard School, B.M. The Peabody Conservatory of Music), made his debut at age sixteen with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra after receiving its Young Soloist's Award. Michael began his studies at the Peabody Preparatory where he studied with Paula Skolnick-Childress and Mihaly Virizlay. Principal teachers in college were Stephen Kates at the Peabody Conservatory, and Zara Nelsova at the Juilliard School.

As the Juilliard School's concerto competition winner, he performed with the Juilliard Orchestra under Otto-Werner Mueller in Alice Tully Hall. He was soloist with the National Orchestra of New York, where he held the prestigious Emanuel Feuermann principal cello chair. Mermagen performed in the Violoncello Society of New York Master Classes led by Yo-Yo Ma, Janos Starker, and Bernard Greenhouse. He tours regularly with The Aspen Ensemble and has toured with the American Chamber Players 1997–2003 and 1987–1995 with the Arista Piano Trio, (named Chamber Music America's Artists to Watch). He has collaborated with the San Francisco Ballet and was featured as the cello soloist for the New York premiere of two works by the renowned choreographer Mark Morris. He has joined violinist Jody Gatwood and pianist Marilyn Neeley in the Rome Trio, a resident ensemble of The Catholic University of America.