Matt Richards enjoys living a double lifestyle as both a percussionist and technology professional. Before moving to Connecticut, he held positions as the principal percussionist of the Missouri Symphony, and section percussionist with the Abilene Philharmonic and West Texas Symphony. He has performed with the United States Coast Guard Band, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Dallas Winds, New World Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, among many others.
During the pandemic, Matt was the founder and artistic director of the Virtual Percussion Music Festival, a world class festival for aspiring professional musicians. Alumni of this festival now hold positions in top orchestras in the USA and Canada. Matt completed a Graduate Certificate in Percussion Performance at the USC Thornton School of Music, studying under Jim Babor and Joe Pereira of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Additionally, he holds an MM from California State University Northridge and a BM from University of California Santa Barbara.
When not performing, you can find Matt at a calisthenics gym, behind a book, building websites, or enjoying time with his family.
During the pandemic, Matt was the founder and artistic director of the Virtual Percussion Music Festival, a world class festival for aspiring professional musicians. Alumni of this festival now hold positions in top orchestras in the USA and Canada. Matt completed a Graduate Certificate in Percussion Performance at the USC Thornton School of Music, studying under Jim Babor and Joe Pereira of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Additionally, he holds an MM from California State University Northridge and a BM from University of California Santa Barbara.
When not performing, you can find Matt at a calisthenics gym, behind a book, building websites, or enjoying time with his family.