Kenneth Riehman (percussion)
A native of New Jersey, Ken earned his Bachelor of Music degree in
percussion performance from Rutgers University and Master of Music
degree in orchestral performance from Temple University. He has
performed with many ensembles including the Orchestra Society of
Philadelphia, the Lancaster Symphony, the Haddonfield Symphony, the
Charleston Symphony, and the Chatauqua and Verbier Festival
Orchestras. As an orchestral percussionist, Riehman has performed in
many parts of the world including Germany, France, Switzerland, and
Russia, under the baton of such notables as James Levine and Helmuth
Rilling.
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Peter James Saleh (percussionist/arranger)
Peter is active as a performer and educator in the NJ/NY area. In March 2009 he presented
his solo recital program, "Mostly Multi," as well as masterclasses throughout Kaohsiung,
Taiwan and Seoul, Korea and also has performed with notable artists such as Matthew
Barney, Bob Becker, and Tigger Benford as well as under conductor Eugene Corporon. He
has worked extensively in improvised music as a modern dance musician, including NJPAC
and ACDFA, and has scored choreography by Christian Von Howard and Raegan Wood. As
a composer, Saleh's music has been performed by ensembles throughout the country
including NJ's Helix! ensemble, at Lincoln Center, and he won second place in the 2007 PAS
Composition Contest. He is published through Row-Loff Productions, Keyboard Percussion
Publications, Innovative Percussion, and Drop6 Media, and authored the pedagogic text, "A
Percussionist’s Handbook." As an educator, Saleh has placed students into some of the
best college programs in the country, founded and directed the Central Jersey Youth
Percussion Ensemble, and has also guest-lectured for BAM,
the Juilliard pre-college, and Rutgers University and fellowed
at the University of North Texas. Peter holds degrees in
percussion and composition from Rutgers University and the
University of North Texas.
Website: PeterSaleh.com
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Mike Ramsey (drums/percussion/steel pans)
Mike is an active performer and educator who works in both Western
and non-Western musical idioms. In addition to his work with Exit 9,
he is a member of AZAGUNO, an exciting multi-ethnic performance
group dedicated to the performance of traditional and contemporary
expressions of the culture of Africa and the Diaspora. With his
teacher, AZAGUNO director Dr. Paschal Yao Younge, Mike has
traveled all over the globe to study and to perform, including four
study tours of Ghana, West Africa, and a study tour of Cuba. He
recently returned from a two-year engagement as Visiting Professor
of Percussion and World Music at Chung Ang University, South Korea.
Mike has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Seoul
Philharmonic, and The Seoul Philharmonic Pops. He has performed all over the world,
including the 2002 World Cup Opening Ceremonies held in Korea and the 2004 Montreal
Jazz Festival. He is now active as a freelance musician in the NYC/NJ area.
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Britton Matthews (guest percussionist) is a recent graduate of the Master of
Music program at Rutgers University. Currently residing in Astoria, NY, she is
active in the New York percussion scene both as a performer and an arts
manager. She is a founding member of the Broadway Reading Orchestra,
and is currently the principal percussionist with the Astoria Music Society's
Symphony Orchestra and Lost Dog New Music Ensemble. Her current
projects include managing and collaborating with the Metropolis Ensemble: a
highly acclaimed chamber ensemble of the NYC area.
Website: brittonmatthews.com
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Group Bio:
Since 2002, Exit 9 percussion group have performed in front of tens of thousands of people
both in the US and abroad. Having its genesis at its name sake Rutgers University, this group
of world traveled ensemble players, award winning composers, and accomplished educators,
consists of both founding and rotating guest members possessing strong and diverse musical
and percussive backgrounds. Notable accomplishments include the Grand Prize of the 2004
Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition and performances at Seoul National University,
South Korea, The Juilliard School, McCarter Theater, Western Washington University, George
Street Play House, and Two Rivers Theater. Exit 9 have also enjoyed featured artist billing at
2004 & 2005 Eastern Shore Music Festivals in Easton, Maryland, the Montclair Art Museum in
2006, and the 2002 and 2004 Jeju Band Festival in South Korea. Exit 9 have also
collaborated with such notable artists as marimbist Simon Boyar, composers Brett Dietz and
Bruce Hamilton, and modern dance choreographer Christian Von Howard. As educators, the
ensemble has performed hundred of clinic-performances with Young Audiences of New Jersey
and will also be artists-in-residence for the newly formed Mason Gross Extension Division, the
Rutgers University pre-college and community arts program.
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