Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Bass, Banjo
Ben Matney was born into a house filled with music. His mother was a piano teacher and taught him to play at six. At nine, he took up the ukulele. His musical abilities were recognized early on, winning his first composition award at eleven. Finally, at twelve, he got his hands on a guitar. He immersed himself in his middle and high school music programs, excelling in jazz on trombone while regularly performing in the pit orchestra on guitar. Upon graduation, he was given the John Philip Sousa Award, the highest grade school music-related honor.
He then double majored in English and Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 2023. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Composition at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. Matney has written music for various ensembles, his band, and other solo projects. His work has been performed by groups such as Earspace, Khemia, Red Pine Wind Quintet, and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to Composition and performance, Matney has taught guitar, bass, piano, and ukulele since 2019. He is experienced in different styles and genres ranging from jazz to classical to pop, rock, folk, blues, and world music, including Irish traditional and Moroccan gnawa.
His pedagogy caters to the student's particular interests while instilling a general knowledge of music theory and practice fundamentals. He firmly believes in the importance of striking a balance between them. More than anything, he hopes to impart a love of music that will enrich the students' lives, whatever they pursue in the future.