Join us for our monthly series presenting live performances with students from the percussion studio of Jason Mathena. Music in the City is generously sponsored by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral.

About Dr. Jason Mathena

Dr. Jason Mathena is currently in his first year at Mississippi Valley State University as Visiting Professor of Music. Here his duties include applied percussion lessons, percussion ensemble, jazz, music theory, ear training, and orchestration. He is also in his sixth year as Adjunct Instructor of Music at Jackson State University where he teaches applied percussion lessons, percussion ensemble, music theory, and ear training. Along with these two universities Dr. Mathena is in his ninth year at Millsaps College as Adjunct Instructor of Music tasked with the direction of jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, and pep band as well as teaching applied percussion lessons.

In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Mathena maintains a rigorous performance schedule as a member of the Assistant Principal Percussion with the Mississippi Symphony and Opera Mississippi. He is a past member of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, and the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. From the vibraphone, Dr. Mathena has created and lead many Jazz, popular, and improvisationdriven small combos, such as The Wild Hares, Natural Harmonix, The Vibe Doctors, The Plus1 Jazz Trio, The Foxbury3, and B-PAC.

Degrees include a Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy with secondary emphases in music theory and music history from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master’s in Percussion Performance from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Auburn University. Dr. Mathena is a past officer of the Percussive Arts Society Mississippi Chapter and a current member of the Mississippi Arts Commission and American Federation of Musicians.