Matthew Nordhausen

Percussionist, Matthew Nordhausen is originally from Hilton, New York, where he first studied the art of percussion with Mr. John Russi & Mr. Timothy Stodd. Matt attended FredoniaStateUniversity majoring in both History and Music Education, and continued his percussive studies with both Dr. Kay Stonefelt and Mr. John Bacon. In 2005, Matthew then completed a Master of Music performance degree in Conducting also at FredoniaStateUniversity, where he studied with Dr. Paula Holcomb.  

            Matt performs regularly as a freelance percussionist and guest conductor for area festivals, musicals, plays and shows, with groups such as Spencerport Port of Call Players, Cobblestone Community Players, Batavia Rotary, Genesee-Wyoming Music Educators Association, Genesee Valley School Music Association and Westside Theatre Productions. He has also performed with the Roberts Wesleyan College Community Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Paul Shewan and ESM Music Educators Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Bill Tiberio.

An avid instructor and performer alike, Matt has taught and performed with both the Rochester Crusaders (2003), and the Empire Statesmen Drum & Bugle Corps (1996- 1998, 2004-2008). With the Rochester Crusaders, Matt was able to capture the Individual and Ensemble champion for the Mixed Ensemble category (2003). With the Empire Statesmen, Matt has performed and/or taught for three world championship titles (1996, 1997 & 2004) and two world percussion titles (1997 & 1998).    

            Aside from his performance activities, Matt has been very involved in several musical groups and organizations. Since 2006, Matt has been a sought after percussion adjudicator for the New York State School Music Association. In addition, he is currently an active member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), the Genesee-Wyoming Music Educators Association (GWMEA) of which he is a past president, New York State Field Band Conference (NYSFBC), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

            Over the course of his career, Matt has been the recipient of several awards and honors, such as the 2001 Fredonia Concerto Competition, which allowed Matt to perform as a featured soloist on xylophone with the Fredonia Symphony Orchestra. He has been inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, an international history honor society and Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honor society. Matt was also the first recipient of the Morris R. Poummit Concert Master Award.

            Compositionally, Matthew has been composing and arranging since 2001 for an assortment of musical mediums. Currently, he teaches percussion privately out of his home in Rochester, NY, where he lives with his wife Jessica, son Parker and daughter Bailey. In addition, Matthew is currently the Director of Music, K-12 and a full time instrumental music teacher for the Le Roy Central School District, as the director of the Wolcott Street School Band, Junior/Senior High Percussion Ensemble, the Swingin’ Knights Jazz Ensemble and the Marching Knights (‘04 & ‘05 NYSFBC Small School Div. III Champions, ‘07 & ‘08 NYSFBC Small School Div. II Champions).