Rolando Morales-Matos is currently one of the solo percussionists and assistant conductor with Disney’s production of The Lion King, Broadway New York - recipient of six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical, as well as the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album. Rolando holds adjunct professor positions at both Duquesne University and Curtis Institute of Music and maintains a busy schedule giving clinics and master classes at many universities.



Rolando Morales-Matos is a well sought after Latin Percussionist and performs and records regularly in New York with various Latin jazz groups. Rolando is the percussionist in William Cepeda Afro Rican Jazz. Rolando is a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra Percussion Group, Extra- Percussionist with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra and when needed, with The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.



Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos began his musical studies at the prestigious high school for the performing arts, Escuela Libre de Musica. He received his BFA in music from Carnegie Mellon University, his MA from Duquesne University, and went on to complete his Certificate of Professional Studies at Temple University.



Rolando Morales-Matos returned to Puerto Rico to perform with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra and teach at his high school alma mater. While in Puerto Rico Rolando also toured the Caribbean, United States and Europe with many salsa and popular bands. Rolando’s professional career has taken him all over the world, from Spain to New Zealand, where he has held principal timpani and percussion positions with their state orchestras.



Rolando Morales-Matos has given clinics at PASIC in 1999 and 2001, sharing the stage with Nexus Percussion Group as soloist. Rolando is an active artist and clinician for Pearl Drum and Adams Musical Instruments.