Britton Matthews
percussion

Britton Matthews is an established freelance percussionist active in contemporary chamber music across the United States, especially throughout New York and New Jersey. She specializes in keyboard and contemporary orchestral percussion. Currently, Britton serves as the principal percussionist for New York CityÕs critically acclaimed Lost Dog New Music Ensemble. She is regularly featured with the Plainfield and Astoria Symphony Orchestras, and at the historic Players Theatre in New York, with the Literally Alive Musical Theater Company.

As a member of the Exit 9 Percussion Group, Britton supports the development of innovative percussion literature, performing new music to sold-out crowds across the country. Exit 9 is currently ensemble-in-residence at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Britton has more than ten years of teaching experience across Texas, New Jersey and New York, including two years on the instructional faculty of the Leigh Howard Stevens Pre-College Summer Marimba Seminar. She previously served on the faculty of the Wharton Music Center in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, and is currently a teaching artist at the Children's Specialized Hospital of Fanwood, New Jersey, where she works with special needs children.

Britton has performed alongside internationally renowned performers Bob Becker, She-e Wu, Chris Deviney and Rolando Morales-Matos. She appeared with the legendary Ms. Wu in a showcase concert at the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Columbus, Ohio, and made her European debut in 2006 in the Fourth Annual Paris Marimba Competition. Britton has premiered dozens of new works for chamber ensemble by innovative composers including: David del Tredici, David Bruce, Gordon Stout, and Bruce Hamilton.

In addition to her work as an artist and educator, Britton works for The MacDowell Colony, a century-old artist residency program, where she helps raise money to provide artists the freedom, time and space to create. Britton received her Master of Music degree from Rutgers University, and her Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University. She has studied with many notable percussionists, including Bob Becker, She-e Wu, Chris Deviney, Todd Meehan and the late Dr. Larry Vanlandingham.