BIO

A native of Fresno, California, Matthew has extensive performance and teaching experience including performing nationally as a soloist with symphony orchestras and holding faculty appointments at several institutions. He has been awarded top prizes from the Minnesota Music Teacher Association’s Young Artist competition, the Schubert Club competition, the Glendale Piano competition, and the Sylvia Ghiglieri competition in Turlock, CA. 

In addition to performing as a soloist with the Lompoc Pops, Opera San Luis Obispo and Buffalo Community orchestras, Matthew has maintained an active career in chamber playing. For two seasons he served as the rehearsal pianist for California Opera Association’s productions of Lucia di Lammermoor and La Cenerentola. Recent festival participation includes Pianofest in the Hamptons and Meadowmount School of Music. This summer, he will attend Music Academy of the West under one of the nine selected collaborative fellowships. 

Matthew is also passionate about education, both in regards to music theory and piano performance. He has held appointments teaching theory at St. Olaf, Gustavus Adolphus, and Augsburg colleges, and has had private teaching experience as well. Sharing an equal interest in performance and academia, he always seeks to stress the importance of synthesizing performance and analysis to his students.

Matthew is currently pursuing his DMA in collaborative piano under the tutelage of Kevin Fitz-Gerald at the University of Southern California. Previous teachers include Lydia Artymiw, Kent McWilliams, Konrad Elser, Paul Schenly, and Eric Larsen. He holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from St. Olaf College and master’s degrees in both piano performance and music theory from the University of Minnesota.