Matthias Engler – percussionist, composer, sound artist – focuses on independent and collaborative work processes in contemporary art. He works with music composition, installation, sculpture, video and stage performance. After studies in classical percussion at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and contemporary chamber music at the International Ensemble Modern Academy in Frankfurt he co-founded Ensemble Adapter in Berlin in 2004, together with harpist Gunnhildur Einarsdóttir. He has worked as artistic director, general manager, creator and percussionist for the group ever since. As an instrumentalist, he has also been a regular guest with numerous music ensembles worldwide, including Ensemble Modern, MusikFabrik, Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, Brandt Brauer Frick and many others. He has worked with leading contemporary composers such as Pierre Boulez, Helmut Lachenmann, Maurizio Kagel and Steve Reich, and with international theater groups in Singapore, the Netherlands and Germany. As a teacher he has appeared at Braunschweig University of the Arts (performing arts), Stanford University & Harvard University (composition workshops), Iceland University of the Arts (cultural management) and Menntaskóli í Tónlist (percussion). His expertise in event production has led to external engagements at Reykjavík Arts Festival, the European Film Academy and Nordic Music Days.