Matt Billingslea
Matt Billingslea is a Nashville-based drummer, artist, writer, producer, educator and clinician. Since 2013, Matt has been performing all over the world with Grammy winning international superstar Taylor Swift, including countless television/promotional appearances, award shows, and four record-breaking world tours – including, most recently, The Eras Tour.
Originally from Westminster, MD, Matt attended Capital University in Columbus, OH, earning a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Music Industry. Matt spent three years with multi-Grammy winners Lady A, and during that time co-wrote “Wanted You More,” a top-20 single from Lady A’s third album, Own The Night.
As a clinician/educator, Matt has done a variety of lectures and master classes, served as an artist-in-residence for the Capital University Jazz Week, and has presented at PASIC as well as several TN Days of Percussion. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Lipscomb University for 3 years.
Practical Drums – Thoughts on Longevity
Session Description:
How do you approach your career and instrument for longevity? To be able to ‘choose’ what you do and when you do it. These are huge questions for me and great things for the novice player and seasoned professional to consider. With ‘something for everyone,’ this presentation will include performances, stories, thoughts, knowledge, and ideas for helping all musicians/percussionists navigate a career in music.
Specifically, the session will center on my approach to: finding yourself as a musician, getting ’the gig’, maintaining your mind/body/career, actual practical playing advice/examples (including warm ups, posture/mechanics, musical choices, etc), and how to ‘keep the gig’.
Session:
– Figure out and embrace who you are as a player/person – find yourself as a musician
– How to get the gig? Building a network, reputation, discipline, confidence, experience, socials
– How to prepare for the gig? Reading, growth, mistakes are inevitable
– Maintaining your mind/body/career – thoughts on injuries, finances and the roller coaster ride of being a creative
– Playing – actual practical playing advice/examples – our life and our musicianship are determined by choices… choose wisely, in all moments. Taste.
– How to keep the gig? Whose name is on the ticket? Ownership/control and starting your own projects
In a world of flash and followers, this would center on some ‘real talk’ – actionable thoughts and concepts that will help anyone further or continue their career.
Specifically, the session will center on my approach to: finding yourself as a musician, getting ’the gig’, maintaining your mind/body/career, actual practical playing advice/examples (including warm ups, posture/mechanics, musical choices, etc), and how to ‘keep the gig’.
Session:
– Figure out and embrace who you are as a player/person – find yourself as a musician
– How to get the gig? Building a network, reputation, discipline, confidence, experience, socials
– How to prepare for the gig? Reading, growth, mistakes are inevitable
– Maintaining your mind/body/career – thoughts on injuries, finances and the roller coaster ride of being a creative
– Playing – actual practical playing advice/examples – our life and our musicianship are determined by choices… choose wisely, in all moments. Taste.
– How to keep the gig? Whose name is on the ticket? Ownership/control and starting your own projects
In a world of flash and followers, this would center on some ‘real talk’ – actionable thoughts and concepts that will help anyone further or continue their career.
Session Category:
- Drumset
Date:
Friday, November 14, 2025
Time:
5:00 PM
Location:
500 Ballroom
Session Type:
Clinic / Performance
Session Format:
Live
