2026 Guest Artist: Dr. Matthew Geiger

Matthew Geiger, on August 21, 2024. Photo By Mark Cornelison | UKphoto

Award-winning percussionist Dr. Matthew Geiger continues to champion percussive works through teaching, performance, and research. His experience includes both the study and performance of orchestral percussion, solo and chamber repertoire, drum set, and world music. Matthew is Assistant Professor and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Kentucky.

Matthew’s recent solo performances have focused on vibraphone, both in improvisation as well as contemporary repertoire. Along with recent international performances in Ecuador, Spain, Sweden, and China, he has performed at many prestigious conferences around the globe, such as the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, World Saxophone Congress, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. A former performing member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, he also has served as an instructor for DCI World Class finalists, The Cadets and Academy.

Prior to the University of Kentucky, Matthew was coordinator of percussion at East Tennessee State University. There, he directed the percussion ensemble to winning the Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble competition as well as receiving an invitation to perform the New Literature Showcase Concert at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.

Matthew received his Doctor of Musical Arts along with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music Performance and Mathematics – along with a Spanish minor -- at the University of Kentucky. He received his Master's degree in percussion performance at the University of Michigan. Matthew Geiger is a Yamaha Performing Artist and educational artist for Zildjian Cymbals, Innovative Percussion, and Black Swamp Percussion.

Dr. Eric R. Hollenbeck, associate professor of percussion at Colorado State University since the fall of 2003, earned a Doctorate of Music in Percussion Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ills. He holds a Master's degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in Percussion Performance, and a Bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance from Kent State University. Eric has studied with Michael Burritt, Thom Siwe, Leigh Stevens, Tom Freer, Paul Yancich, Joel Spencer, Paul Wertico, and Jim Ross. Hollenbeck is an artist/endorser for Pearl Corporation and Adams Musical Instruments, Innovative Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, and Grover Pro Percussion.

Hollenbeck has performed with diverse performing organizations ranging from principal positions held in Fort Collins and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestras to appearances with the Alabama, Sinfonia De Camera, Chicago Civic, Tallahassee, Colorado, Columbus Symphony Orchestras, and as timpanist for the International Cathedral Music Festival, London, England. As a chamber musician, Eric has appeared with the Chicago Chamber Players, Eighth Blackbird, Alarm Will Sound, Xavier Cougat Orchestra and the Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band.

As a recitalist, Eric has performed in England, Ecuador, Mexico, Canada, and over thirty universities in the United States. He has presented clinics and master classes at several PAS Days of Percussion, MENC and CMEA state conventions the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic and as a featured performer at the 1996, 2001, and 2007 Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. In 2008, Eric was awarded the Outstanding Teacher of the Year by Colorado State University.

Shilo Stroman is a musical chameleon determined to fit into any musical situation supported by his wide range of musical talent, a laid back attitude, and a desire to push himself artistically. His thirst for performing began as a Chile when his parents purchased a toy drumset. Armed with his dad's record collection, an empty basement, and chopsticks as drumsticks, the journey began. He continues on this path with a diverse schedule of performing, composing and teaching.

A versatile performer, Mr. Stroman’s credits range from playing triangle in symphony orchestras, electric bass in salsa bands, drums in funk bands and flower pots in chamber groups. He recently premiered James David’s Scala Enigmatica for solo vibraphone and symphonic band. Performing Stroman originals, Red Hot Chili Pepper covers, and the occasional country tune, Shilo's contemporary jazz quartet, Square Peg, released their first recording, Searching, in 2013. In 2006, he commissioned and performed the world premiere of Sticks and Stones variations for drumset and wind ensemble by Jim Bonney. Shilo can also be heard on various jazz and singer/songwriter recordings.

As an educator, Shilo is special assistant professor of percussion and jazz at Colorado State University where he teaches lessons, freshman percussion ensemble, drumline, jazz pedagogy, percussion methods, and is charge of the jazz combo program. Mr. Stroman is also very active in the marching arts and is currently the artistic director and front ensemble arranger for The Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also the composer for WGI Concert Open Class Gold (2015) and Silver (2016) Medalists, Dakota Ridge High School. He continues to arrange/compose for groups around the country.

Shilo's love of travel and sharing his passion for music education has led him to presenting clinics, adjudicating festivals, and judging competitions. He has presented clinics at the 2014 Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Convention and PAS Days of Percussion, State Music education conferences, middle schools, high schools and colleges throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, and Texas. He has adjudicated at the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival, The Kinser Jazz Festival, as well as many smaller Jazz festivals. He also regularly judges for the Colorado Bandmasters Association, Rocky Mountain Percussion Association, and the Intermountain Percussion Association.