Matt Jacklin

Associate Professor


Dr. Matt Jacklin is an engaging artist and educator. Currently, he is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Percussion studies at Olivet Nazarene University. At ONU he teaches applied percussion lessons and gives leadership to the Drumline and Front Ensemble, Steel Drum Band, Percusion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Electronic Percussion Ensemble and a Jazz Combo.

Dr. Jacklin performs across the wide spectrum of percussion instruments and specializes in steel drums, the African xylophone traditions of Ghana, electronic percussion and contemporary Marimba literature. He has made concerto and solo recital appearances throughout the United States and abroad. In 2012, Dr. Jacklin was invited to El Salvador to give a teaching residency and solo recital. In 2015, he was featured in London’s prestigious Cadogan Hall. He is also active as an orchestral percussionist, performing most recently with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Heartland Festival Orchestra and the Sugar Creek Symphony and Song Opera Festival. Dr. Jacklin is also an active jazz musician playing drum set in the ONU faculty jazz combo and at several other venues. 

Active as a clinician, he has presented clinics at numerous Universities, Day of Percussion festivals, the 2019 Leigh Howard Stevens Marimba Seminar and at the 2001 Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Dr. Jacklin is also published in Percussive Notes

Dr. Jacklin also leads ONU students in the Build a Well Ensemble, a world percussion group that raises money and awareness for clean water in Africa. In his free time, Dr. Jacklin enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel and their 7 kids, cooking, making music with his friends and watching basketball.