Matthew Pivec, Jazz Studies
Dr. Pivec's Personal Jukebox
As a performer of jazz and popular music,
Matt has worked with Ray Charles, The Temptations, Dave Rivello,
Bob Brookmeyer, Peter Erskine, Maria Schneider, Julia Dollison,
Melvin Rhyne, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, the Rochester
Philharmonic Pops Orchestra, and the national touring companies of
Hairspray, 42nd Street, and The Producers. As a band leader and
soloist, Matt has performed at jazz festivals and venues throughout
the United States. His most recent CD, Live at Snider
Hall, was released in the spring of 2008 to critical
acclaim.
Matt received the Doctor of Musical Arts (Saxophone Performance
and Literature) and Master of Music (Jazz Studies and Contemporary
Media) degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New
York. While at Eastman, Matt studied with Ramon Ricker. He
performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Eastman Graduate
Saxophone Quartet, and served as lead alto saxophone of the Eastman
Jazz Ensemble. He received several student honors including the
outstanding blues/pop/rock soloist from Downbeat magazine, the Arts
Leadership Certificate, and the outstanding Teaching Assistant
award. Matt received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from
the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. There, he performed with
the UWEC Wind Ensemble and served as lead alto saxophone of the
nationally acclaimed Jazz Ensemble I, which was recognized twice as
the top collegiate jazz ensemble by Downbeat Magazine.
Currently, Matt is the director of jazz studies at Butler
University where directs the Jazz Ensemble 1 and teaches courses in
the jazz studies curriculum. In February 2009, Matt founded the
Butler Youth Jazz Program, a select jazz ensemble comprised of
students from the Indianapolis area. Prior to his appointment at
Butler, he taught at CSU, Stanislaus and Cornell University. In
2006 he was named "Junior Faculty Member with Exceptional Promise"
by the CSUS College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences. In 2006 Matt
founded the Stanislaus Youth Jazz Orchestra, a select jazz ensemble
comprised of high school students from Stanislaus County. A
committed educator, he enjoys teaching saxophone and jazz to
students of all ages. More information about Matt can be found on
his website, www.mattpivec.com
(317) 940-9068
mpivec@butler.edu