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2012-Berklee full ride merit scholarship to five week summer program
2013-Berklee full ride merit scholarship to five week summer program jazz workshop
2014- half+ tuition merit scholarship to Berklee
2018- graduate Berklee with degree in Guitar and Jazz Composition
New Jersey bred well renowned Jazz Guitarist Matt embraces the tradition of Jazz as both a player and composer, while maintaining an open mind for innovation and various other styles of music. For Matt, music serves as the only universal language, where all ideologies and cultures can communicate. No matter how technically complicated his compositions can be, Matt always makes them communicate in this fashion and connect with the listener on a deeper level. With experienced in terms of creating and communicating passion for music not only as a leader, but as a sideman Matt has already performed with many peers and mentors, such as; The Jazz House Kids Big Band, Various Manhattan School of Music Precollege ensembles, Christian McBride, Mark Egan, Joe Lovano, Dave Stryker, Karl Latham, Terri Lynne Carrington, Don Braden, Joel Frahm, Al Jarreau, Sheryl Bailey, Jack Pezanelli and many others.
2014 saw his entrance into Berklee College of music. While under the mentorship and guidance of teachers such as: Scott Free, Jack Pezanelli, Terri Lynne Carrington, and many others, Matt’s pursuit to becoming an even better jazz guitarist and composer is well underway and will continue to flourish well into the future. Lyle Robinson, Chief editor of Jazz Guitar Life magazine, describes him as, “quite articulate and I have no doubt that if he keeps playing and working at his craft, he’ll do some great things.” In May of 2018, he graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Jazz Composition.
For beginning students I like to go over the fundamental of the instrument as well as the very basics of reading music and music theory. This way we can build a solid foundation on which to build upon as we progress. At the same time I like to find out any particular areas of interest the student has in order to tailor the before mentioned for their style. No matter what skill level I want to maintain a balance of what the student wants to learn as well as the fundamentals of guitar and music theory, this way the experience is all-encompassing musically.
I like to keep things realistic in a relaxed, fun, and curious way by setting goals for each student on a weekly basis. By exploring any interests the student has reaching those goals comes from a genuine place of curiosity and discovery from the student, which is way more rewarding for them and gratifying as opposed to randomly giving or forcing upon them unrealistic or irrelevant goals/tasks to complete between each lesson. Therefore, it is important that we do this at his or her own pace and as a result the experience is tailored for each individual.