Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry has been a part of the UMSL faculty since 2003.

Specializing in non-Western percussion, such as the drumming of the Malinke ethnic group of West Africa (djembe orchestra) and Cuban styles (popular and folkloric), he has presented numerous clinics, master classes, and residencies focused on these topics. His baccalaureate studies were completed in Music Performance at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and he holds a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Performance from Webster University. He is a voting member of the International Percussive Arts Society World Percussion Committee and a member of the Musicians Association of St. Louis, Local 2-197. His clinic and master class schedule includes Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Indiana, Southeast Missouri State, Truman State University, the University of Oklahoma, Lindenwood University, Webster University, the annual Missouri Music Educators Conference, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and school districts across the Midwest.

In addition to educational engagements, Matthew performs regularly around the St. Louis area. Performance credits include The Who, Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Muny Orchestra, Gateway Festival Orchestra, Union Avenue Opera, Musica SLESA, the Nuclear Percussion Ensemble, and the Funky Butt Brass Band. The most recent addition to his endeavors is SpecDrum (www.specdrum.org), a community outreach and world culture education organization. Matthew Henry is Artist/Educational Clinician for REMO, Vic Firth, Latin Percussion, Mapex Drums, and Majestic Percussion.