Matt Keown

Matt Keown's artistry (b.1991) is defined by a unique duality, blending the precise technique of a rudimental drummer with the nuance of a classical musician. Primarily a chamber musician, Matt is a founding member of the icarus Quartet, a piano-percussion group that has emerged as a prominent voice in new music through collaborations with composers like Jennifer Higdon and Martin Bresnick. He is also a founding member of The Percussion Collective, an ensemble dedicated to transcendent and emotionally engaging percussion experiences. Keown’s musical roots are in marching percussion, where he performed as a snare drummer with the world-champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from 2009–2011. During his tenure, the group won two undefeated championship titles and received the 2009 Fred Sanford High Percussion Award. His varied career has led to performances at Carnegie Hall and broadcasts on major networks like WFMT Chicago and WQXR New York. As a soloist with The Percussion Collective, he has performed with the Oregon, Baltimore, and Florida Symphonies, as well as the Aspen Festival Orchestra, for Christopher Theofanidis’ concerto Drum Circles. Matt is the Assistant Professor of Percussion at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He is only the fourth percussionist to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts from Yale University, where he also completed his Master’s degree under Robert van Sice following undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon. He proudly endorses Vic Firth, Zildjian, Remo, and Pearl/Adams Musical Instruments.