Matthew Howard is the current Principal Percussionist with the LA Philharmonic. Matthew is a Los Angeles native who graduated with his Masters in Music at the New England Conservatory studying with Will Hudgins of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has also received his Bachelor of Music at the University of Southern California studying under Joseph Pereira and Jim Babor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has performed with such groups as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, New World Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, and Boston Ballet. He also has been a fellow at the National Repertory Orchestra, Verbier Festival Orchestra, and Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.

He began playing drumset at the age of 15 and would play in the high school jazz band. By 18, he found himself enthralled with the world of percussion and started studying with a local percussionist, John Magnussen. While studying with John, he also studied with recording legend, Emil Richards, on jazz vibraphone and Jerry Steinholtz on hand percussion, and Judy Chilnick on timpani. After a year of community college, he transferred to the University of Southern California percussion department studying with Erik Forrester.

After receiving his Master’s Degree, he won a fellowship with the New World Symphony in Miami, Fl, under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. He was only with that orchestra for one year before winning his dream job in his hometown, with the LA Philharmonic, under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. During his time in the orchestra, he has performed on-stage at the Oscars, played on the soundtrack for West Side Story, performed the Star-Spangled Banner for Vin Scully’s last home game at Dodger Stadium under the baton of John Williams, played and collaborated with artists such as Snarky Puppy, Katy Perry, Chris Martin, Herbie Hancock, Alex Acuna, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chic and Nile Rodgers, The Go- Go’s, and Kobe Bryant.