Bio

BIO:

Matt Zappa is a Berklee College of Music alumnus, professor, and internationally touring drummer celebrated for his versatility across metal, pop, rock, hip hop, and video game soundtracks. A highly sought-after session musician, he was named Session Musician of the Year at the 2025 Boston Music Awards. In addition to performing, Matt teaches as a drum set professor at Berklee College of Music, maintains a private studio, and is a recurring guest lecturer for MIT’s Heavy Metal 101 series. His work has earned awards from the Boston Music Awards and International Portuguese Music Awards and coverage in LA Weekly, The Boston Globe, Village Voice, and Metal Injection.

Educator

  • Lecturer / Masterclass Instructor, MIT’s Heavy Metal 101 (2017–2026)

  • Guest Faculty, Berklee College of Music
    -Double Bass Drum Lab, Rock Lab, and Private Instruction
    -Advanced Metal and Progressive Studies (2024-2025) – Drums & Percussion Workshop

  • Rhythm Section Instructor, Berklee College of Music – Bass Workshop (2021–2025)

  • Accompanist Musician, Berklee College of Music – Guitar Sessions (2025)

Drummer

  • Winner, 2025 Boston Music Award – Session Musician of the Year

  • Winner, 2019 Boston Music Award – Best Vocalist (with Julie Rhodes & The Electric Co.)

  • Nominee, Boston Music Awards – Session Musician of the Year (2018, 2023, 2024)

  • Performer, 2021 Laver Cup at TD Garden (with The Heavy, UK)

  • Featured Artist, PBS’s Ocean State Sessions (with Julie Rhodes & The Electric Co.)

  • Headliner, NH Drum Festival (2016)

  • Best Drummer in Boston, Shakefist Magazine

  • Winner, 2017 New England Music Awards – Best Live Act (with Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys)

  • Winner, 2016 International Portuguese Music Award – Best Rock Performance (with Mike Kerr Group)

  • Nominee, Boston Music Awards – Metal Act of the Year (with Protean Collective, 2015–2018)

  • Nominee, Boston Music Awards – Live Act of the Year (with Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, 2016–2018)

Composer (Selected Credits)

  • Drake Hollow – Video Game (PlayStation, Xbox, Steam) – 2020

  • The VelociPastor – Film (Amazon Prime) – 2017

  • Some Freaks – Film (Netflix) – 2016

Personality

  • Honoree, 2023 Most Influential Emerging Leaders of Color – Charles River Regional Chamber

  • Featured Artist, NESN’s Dirty Water TV – Premiered during Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics broadcasts

  • Featured Actor, MENTOR “Mentoring Amplifies” Campaign – Appeared in a national campaign alongside past participants such as Megan Rapinoe and Blake Griffin. Video here: https://bit.ly/43Y5AuB

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMattZappa/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/drMattZappa
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/drmattzappa
Twitter/Instagram: @DrMattZappa