Matt Smallcomb

Matt Smallcomb joined the Conservatory in 2022 as an associate professor of percussion. 

Smallcomb is currently a percussionist with Alarm Will Sound, a collaborative ensemble at the forefront of contemporary music and reputed as “one of the most vital and original ensembles on the American music scene” (New York Times). With a career spanning across diverse genres, Smallcomb has performed with leading artists and musicians including Tyondai Braxton, Rashad Becker, The Knights Chamber Orchestra, Regina Carter, Madeski Martin and Wood, Tyshawn Sorey, Wordless Orchestra, King Britt, Novus NY, Betsy Wolf, Mario Cantone, Peter Martin and has recorded on Nonesuch, Sony, Bedroom Community, Tzadik, and Cantaloupe record labels. 

Smallcomb recently held the drum chair at West Side Story on Broadway and prior to this, was the percussionist at The Cher Show. Smallcomb has also performed in the Broadway productions of Moulin Rouge, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, War Paint, Spongebob Squarepants, and Something Rotten. 

As an orchestral percussionist, Smallcomb was Principal Percussionist with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra in Duluth, Minnesota for four seasons, as well as section percussionist with Symphony in C for seven seasons. Smallcomb has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Vermont Symphony, American Composers Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Lukes, The Pennsylvania Ballet and has performed various ensembles throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Australia. 

He has studied drums and percussion with teachers Bob Nowak, Marko Marcinko, Barry Centanni, Mike Werner, and James Preiss.

He currently lives in New York City with his wife, Sherry.