Biography

Influenced by his grandfathers--one a woodworker, the other a sign painter--Matt developed interests in both art and craft at an early age. After studying art and graphic arts at Purdue University, he sought to create something that was not only visually beautiful, but also functional. Having played guitar since high school, he was drawn to the artisan-based tradition of lutherie.

He attended the Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie in 1992 and later worked with several small, independent luthiers and a larger guitar manufacturer. After working for a few years in the repair shop of a guitar store in upstate New York, he started up a small studio to build his own instruments. He moved to New York City in 1998 where he works full time in his one-person workshop in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Matt is a member of the Guild of American luthiers, and his guitars have been shown in festivals around the northeast.