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Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith

Adjunct Professor of Music - Guitar

Office: Alumni Music Cetner | 214

Office Phone: 803.466.3193

Email: matthew.smith@newberry.edu

Department: Department of Music

Degrees:

B. Mus. | University of South Carolina (1998)

Certificate in Classic Guitar Performance, University of South Carolina (1998)

Bio:

Matthew began his music studies in grade school, taking private lessons on piano and then guitar. His more advanced study of music began during summer sessions at the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and continued when Matthew enrolled in the classical guitar program at the University of South Carolina. There, he studied under Christopher Berg and Michael Cedric Smith, and earned a Bachelor of Music degree with an additional Performance Certificate. During this time, Matthew began his professional music career by teaching lessons at the Florence Fine Arts Academy and by performing in the USC Guitar Ensemble, as a soloist on classical guitar, and as a lead electric guitarist in several popular music groups.

After joining the music faculty at Newberry College in 2006, Matthew also moved away from teaching at local music stores and academies and opened “Matthew Smith’s Guitar Studio” in Columbia, SC where he offers private lessons, summer guitar camps, and group classes in various styles of guitar playing. He also stays in high demand as a guitarist for weddings and other private events.

Besides teaching and performing, Matthew is constantly involved in a variety of musical projects. In 2009, he composed and recorded a soundtrack to the independent film ”I remember” and also recorded a full length album of classical guitar duets with guitarist Chance Glass in early 2013 called “Music for Two Guitars”. Matthew also served on the faculty of the Southern Guitar Festival and Competition in 2012 and 2013, and performed in the guitar quartet “Accordo 24” for the 2013 season. On the popular music side, Matthew released his first full length recording of original songs in the summer of 2014.

Currently, Matthew teaches all of the guitar lessons and classes at Newberry College as well as at his private studio, and also rehearses regularly in various chamber ensembles and popular music groups.