Dr. Matthew Lau
Musician. Knitter. Polyglot. Yogi
Award-winning percussionist, classically-trained with a whimsical twist.

Hailed by the Aspen Times for his “soulful and technically impressive solo” at his vibraphone concerto debut at the Aspen Music Festival, percussionist Dr. Matthew Lau performs a wide range of repertoire with an absolute commitment to communicate the meaning and essence of percussion music to its audience, from arrangement of Bach to avant-garde contemporary pieces by Donatoni, in high calibre performances with a whimsical twist. As a queer Asian percussionist, Dr. Lau challenge the convention narratives and work to change the traditional prescribed career path.

Matthew is the co-founder and artistic director of Hong Kong contemporary percussion group The Up:Strike Project, and is part of the duo Fisher/Lau Project Matthew enjoys an international teaching & performing career, 2019–2022 engagements include appearance in universities, festival and competitions in countries like USA, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Taiwan, Spain, Australia, and Russia. Matthew obtained his DMA in percussion performance from Stony Brook University under Eduardo Leandro. Matthew was awarded the prestigious LAB Grant from the Boston Foundation for 2022–2023. Matthew also receive additional projects & touring grants from Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and is named Award for New Artist at the 2018 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards. He is currently on the Board of Advisor and Keyboard Committee for The Percussive Arts Society, and Board of Directors for The Vibraphone Project Inc.

In his spare time he is an avid yoga practitioner and believe proper alignment can get rid of certain soreness in percussion playing. He is also a Level 1 Master Knitter fromThe Knitter’s Guild Association.