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Matt McGraw, President of Emusicinstrucition, is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance at Arizona State University where he is also a teaching assistant for two courses in the ethnomusicology department: “African Music” and “Jazz in America”.
McGraw has consistently excelled as both a percussionist and educator in both the Indianapolis and Phoenix metro areas. While in Indianapolis he was a member of the adjunct faculty in percussion and musicology at both Marian College and Butler University. As a performer, McGraw has had the privilege of playing in many different types of music ensembles including: symphony orchestras, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian ensembles, contemporary rock bands, funk, and jazz groups. Playing in these many different bands has provided him the honor to open for such greats as Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, and Eddie Palmieri. In addition to ensemble success, McGraw has accompanied performances by Grammy award winning Bobby McFerrin and Marimba artist and Latin percussionist Orlando Cotto.
Having grown up in rural Frankfort, Indiana, McGraw's own musical instruction began at the age of 6 with piano lessons and then later percussion at the age of ten. He went on to receive both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Music Performance from prestigious Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his undergraduate years, McGraw had the opportunity to study music in Australia, which in turn helped spark his curiosity for indigenous music. He has since performed, studied and taught many different types of music ranging from: West African Drumming, Afro Cuban drumming, Salsa, Mambo, Samba Batucada, Samba Reggae, Bossa Nova, and Caribbean Steel Pans. McGraw continues to draw on his collegiate research and diverse background as the creative basis of his unique sound and teaching style.
As time will allow, he enjoys rooting for the Indianpolis Colts, The Butler Bulldogs, and his newly found favorite, the Arizona Diamondbacks. He likes playing basketball, camping, and golf. The consummate family man, he is a devoted husband to his wife Andrea, a brother to four siblings, and an uncle to 16 nieces and nephews.
Matt McGraw is endorsed by Vic Firth drum Sticks.
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