Matt Grimes, originally from Columbia, TN, has been teaching percussion since 2001. He began his competitive percussion career with the world-renowned Music City Mystique, where he marched from 2001 – 2005, and taught from 2006 – 2010. Matt also taught percussion at the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 2005 and Memphis Sound in 2006.

From there, Matt began teaching locally with Chattanooga Independent Percussion Ensemble from 2011 – 2017, where he led program coordination and design. Additionally, Matt taught at numerous area high schools, most notably Cleveland High School, from 2011-2024.

Matt holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from Middle Tennessee State University, and he currently plays multi-percussion with funk-rock group Le Gato from Chattanooga.

He resides in Chattanooga with his wife Betsy and their two children!