
Matt M.

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About Matt M.
I am a professional jazz guitarist, singer-songwriter and teacher. I've been teaching music to students of all ages privately and in groups since 1998. After graduating from William Paterson University with a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Performance I spent 10 years in New York City working as a freelance musician and operating my own guitar studio. Since that time I have also been affiliated with several teaching studios, private schools, public schools and international schools. With a comprehensive background in Jazz, Classical and Rock guitar as well as electric bass, piano, music theory and voice; I am uniquely qualified to teach students of all ages and levels.
As a teacher, I think it’s most important to provide my students with a well rounded musical education that focuses on and adapts to what they are interested in learning. Music lessons should be fun and I always keep that as my number one priority while also making sure that my students are getting a solid musical education that they will be happy with now and in the future. I pride myself on being patient, enthusiastic, empathetic and always prepared. I’m familiar with all of the most popular methods and have also created a large library of my own teaching materials.
During my career, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to teach several different populations in the US, Greece and Germany. These diverse experiences have been extremely challenging and helped make me into a stronger teacher. From 2001-2003 I taught at the Center for Individualized Training and Education(CITE) which is a special needs school in Providence, RI. At CITE, I worked with students ages 6-17 and learned a lot about how to use music to bring joy to students who are not necessarily able to engage in a traditional musical education. In 2016, I created a music program in Athens, Greece for refugee children seeking asylum. I worked in conjunction with the School Box Organization to raise money for instruments, and taught guitar and hand drum classes at a school they had set up in a refugee squat. Although I'm no longer at the school, I am still helping to oversee the program and plan to do more of this work in the future. During my time in New York City, I worked with kids attending some of the most exclusive private schools in the country and dealt with the challenge of fitting music into an extremely demanding and high pressure educational environment. All of these experiences have helped shape my teaching philosophy as well as my views on life and music. I am currently teaching students in Boston as well as online lessons in Canada, Europe and the US.
Reviews
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Matt is fantastic! He is encouraging and moves at a pace that is comfortable. Thank you!

Excellent lesson. He took the the time to assess my skill set and objectives. He got me going with an initial practice plan and sent me materials supporting the plan. Fantastic. Just what i wanted.

Excellent. Matt got a good understanding of my skill set and has an initial game plan setup for me to start working on.

Matt’s lessons are exactly what I’ve been looking for. He puts together wonderfully well-crafted lessons — tailored to my level and tastes — that build on one another, methodically strengthening my knowledge of the instrument and my abilities while also being really fun. I finally have hope of actually progressing.

He is very patient and kind. I am very novice, and he is moving at a comfortable pace. I would recommend Matt!

Great first class cleverly used to refresh old skills and learn new things. Looking forward to my next class.

Matt listens to 3 things. First my playing. Second to what I haven’t played but want too, and thirdly to what I’m both saying and trying to say. A great blend of talent and intuition.

Great first lesson tailored to my goals.

We had a great time. Matt did an amazing job with our group. He made the lessons easy and fun. The next group event we have we are definitely going to work with Matt. We learned, played the guitar and laughed a lot.

Thanks for the first lesson. Looking forward to the next one!

Really awesome first lesson!

Great instructor, really works with the student to get where they want to be musically.

Matt very quickly indentified what I was looking to achieve and prescribed some great material right away. He is obviously very knowledgeable knows how to teach !

Matt is a great conversationalist and an amazing musician but most importantly, he is a skilled instructor. Matt can teach performance and theory. He listens to your needs, assesses your skill level and if you let him, he will mold you into a great musician too. After 40 years of playing around with my guitar, Matt has opened my eyes and is teaching me to play the guitar. Todd R.

matt was a great teacher. quickly figured out my level of learning. im excited to continue working with him!

Aiden enjoyed his first lesson, he’s quiet and shy but likes Matt

Matt was engaging, child-friendly in his instructions to our 5yo, and even took extra time to help us tune our guitar. A totally enriching experience and we look forward to more!

Laid back but still professional, clearly knows his stuff, visibly very patient. really looking forward to more classes with you Matt!


Looking forward to additional lessons


Matt Macaulay has taught me guitar in his studio and at my home over the course of the last two years. He is a wonderful teacher, caring, thoughtful and thorough. I've had a lot of music teachers over the years but Matt stood out in his ability to provide organized and interesting teaching sessions which are well prepared for in advance and always entertaining. Matt is an amazing motivator and swiftly got me through the burdens of an early learning curve and into the fascinating world of music. I would warmly recommend him to anyone who is interested in learning - at any age - and is looking for a highly skilled and caring teacher!
Photos & Videos
Experience
Guitar and Bass Teacher
Sep 2017 - Aug 2018Franklin School For The Performing Arts
Taught Guitar and Bass Lessons ages 7-16
Mandolin Teacher
Sep 2016 - Jul 2017Well Strung-Berlin, Germany
Taught Private Mandolin Lessons and Beginner Mandolin Classes
Volunteer Music Program Coordinator
Jul 2016 - Aug 2016Jasmine School Athens Greece
Created and taught a music curriculum including guitar and hand drums. This was a volunteer program for refugee children in Athens. I raised money to purchase instruments for the school and am still involved in keeping the program running.
Guitar/Bass Teacher
Sep 2013 - Aug 2016Franklin Public Schools
Taught Guitar and Bass lessons as part of the after school music program at Franklin High School.
Guitar Teacher
Jun 2004 - Jun 2006Cari Cole Voice Studio New York City
Taught "Guitar Accompaniment for Singers" classes and private lessons.
Guitar Teacher
Apr 2004 - Jun 2005Lyceum Kennedy International School New York City
Taught guitar classes to students ages 6-13
Guitar/Bass Teacher
Jun 2001 - Feb 2003Chepachet Music
Taught Rock, Jazz and Classical Guitar as well as Electric Bass.
Music Teacher
Sep 2001 - Dec 2002Center For Individualized Training and Education
Taught Music to special needs students. Included guitar, piano, percussion and music appreciation.
Education
Bachelors Degree of Music-Jazz Performance
Sep 1999 - May 2001William Paterson University
Associates Degree of Music-Jazz Performance and Classical Performance
Sep 1997 - May 1999Community College of RI
Languages
english
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Awards
Presidential Scholarship
Sep 1999William Paterson University
Bobby Hacket Award
May 1999CCRI
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