Ken McGrath

Kenneth McGrath is a highly regarded performer and educator in Los Angeles. He has performed with many of the major orchestras in Southern California including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Ken has also appeared frequently with the LA Phil New Music Group, performed on several touring Broadway productions and played with dance companies such as American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet. In 2008, he commissioned, performed, and recorded the world premiere of William Kraft’s Encounters XIII: Concertino for Percussion & Woodwind Quintet with Southwest Chamber Music.

Ken is also an active studio musician performing on numerous motion pictures for such notable composers as John Williams, Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard, Randy Newman, Alexandre Desplat, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Danny Elfman, and Christophe Beck. His list of recent film credits includes Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Toy Story 4, Marriage Story, Onward, Frozen II, Spider-Man: Far from Home and Mulan (2020).

He currently serves on the percussion faculties of California State University Fullerton, the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts and Pasadena City College. Ken is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles (summa cum laude) and the Eastman School of Music.

OrchestraLos AngelesTitlePerformer and Educator