EMT: 2018
Matthew is a voice teacher, artistic director, musical director, and actor. They are an active member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and have served on the Chicago NATS chapter's board of directors. They are also a member of VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association), an associate member of PAVA (Pan American Vocology Association), MTEA (Musical Theatre Educators Alliance), ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), and the Chicago Cabaret Professionals.
Matthew co-founded Integrated Vocal Pedagogy (IVP) with voice science researcher Kerrie Obert (M.A., C.C.C./S.L.P.) and Dr. David Hoffman (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). Kerrie, David, and Matthew collaborate together to bring training to both performers and teachers integrating voice science, self-awareness and emotional regulation, acting, musicality, and performance practice into a cohesive whole.
Matthew's certifications include: Estill Master Trainer (EMT) through Estill Voice International (EVI), Alba Method Associate Teacher through the Alba Method Association (AMA), Michael Chekhov Acting Technique through Michael Chekhov Association International (MICHA). Matthew has also training Knight-Thompson Speechwork. They hold a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Masters of Music degree in vocal performance and pedagogy from Northwestern University.
In addition to owning and operating Ellenwood Studios (a private, independent training center), Matthew is a freelance vocal and musical director, pianist/conductor, and has served many professional artists and companies nationwide. As a lecturer,they have presented voice and musical theater workshops for universities, professional theatre companies, and at NATS, VASTA and PAVA events and conferences.
Matthew is also a co-founder and the Artistic Director of Terra Mysterium performance troupe, where they happily compose all of the company’s music.
ABOUT ELLENWOOD STUDIOS
Founded in Chicago in 1995, Ellenwood Studios serves pre-professional and professional performers. We focus on integrating the skills necessary to excel as multi-disciplinary performers (singer/actor/dancer/musician/songwriter) who desire to work in all performance media from stage to screen.
Our work is informed by voice and affective science, paired with self-awareness and emotional regulation practices, and is integrated into a comprehensive and cohesive methodology. We seek to help performers to view themselves not just as interpretive artists but also as generative artists who feel empowered to actively create and collaborate. All pedagogical principles conveyed at the studio seek to assist performers in creating and maintaining sustainable and reliable performance practices.