Mikhail Peskov was born August 25,1951, in Leningrad, USSR. He is currently a percussionist with the Kirov-Mariinsky Theatre symphony orchestra and the Kirov Opera. His primary education in music began at the children's music school (1961-1966) with music master Vyacheslav N. Popov, a well-known percussionist and teacher in Leningrad. Mikhail then began performing as a cadet in one of the army brass bands in Leningrad (1966-1971). In 1971, he worked as a percussionist with symphony orchestras and light music orchestras in Leningrad. He has performed with the Mussorgski opera and ballet theatre and the State Conservatory Opera Studio Symphony orchestra, the Leningrad Radio and TV symphony Orchestra, Russian Folk Orchestra, Anatoly Badhen's Concert Orchestra, Leningrad Region Philharmonic old-time and modern chamber music orchestra and the Kirov Theatre Scenic Brass Band.
In 1974 he won a percussion position with the Kirov-Mariinski Theatre's symphony orchestra, and also performs with the Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic Academic Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Alexandr Dmitriev. Mikhail has worked with conductors Y. Temirkanov, E. Svetlanov,G. Rojdestvensky, A. Dmitriev, Y. Bashmet, Esa Pecca Salonen, Maxim Shostakovich, and Valery Gergiev. Mr. Peskov was recently awarded by the Russian Federation's Ministry of culture with a certificate of honor on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his work for the Mariinsky Theatre.