Matthew Rankin is an aspiring timpanist and percussionist, currently studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) with Alasdair Kelly and Louise Lewis-Goodwin.

Recently, Matthew has been involved in many exciting projects, both inside and outside the RCS. These include performing in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as part of the Celtic Connections festival alongside the RCS Symphony Orchestra, playing principal timpani in Northern Ireland Opera’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and playing music by Steve Reich alongside world renowned percussionist Colin Currie as part of an RCS concert.

Prior to this, Matthew was awarded the 2022 Mrs Joan Christie CVO MBE Bursary for Music, aiding him in the purchase of a xylophone, which kickstarted his orchestral percussion career whilst studying at the City of Belfast School of Music. Soon after, he was appointed the percussion section principal of the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra which included a concert tour to France. He is also a current member of the Ulster Youth Orchestra.