ABOUT Austin Keck
SESSION TITLE: Texture Over Melody: Creating Sonic Landscapes
Austin Keck is an American percussionist and composer based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in contemporary chamber music. With a deep passion for pushing the boundaries of classical percussion, Keck’s musical journey has been marked by notable achievements and a commitment to innovation.
As a dedicated performer, Keck has had the privilege of performing worldwide. He has been invited to perform as a soloist in esteemed events, including the IPEA International Percussion Competition 2023, and the World Percussion Group 2024 tour.
Keck’s creative spirit extends to his role as a composer, where he strives to expand the horizons of classical percussion. In November 2022, his composition, Passage to an Uncharted World, premiered at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, performed by the Eastman Percussion Ensemble. Similarly, his recent composition, Evanescence, commissioned by 3D Percussion, made its debut in October 2023 at the IPEA International Percussion Competition in Shanghai, China.
Austin Keck’s journey in the world of music has been marked by several accolades, including first prizes at the Great Plains International Marimba Competition in 2019 and the 2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition. He also holds the esteemed Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Beyond his classical pursuits, Keck has contributed his talents to the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, earning recognition in the form of two Fred Sanford percussion caption awards and winning gold and silver medals at the Drum Corps International World Championships in 2017 and 2018.
Keck earned his Bachelor of Music with a minor in Audio and Music Engineering from the Eastman School of Music and his Master’s of Music in Contemporary Media and Film Composition from the same institution. His aspiration is to bridge the worlds of concert music and visual compositions through his work.
Keck is a Malletech Performing Artist.