Upcoming Courses
EMT: 2018
Matthew is a performing arts educator based in Chicago, Illinois and integrates voice, acting, and emotional regulation training (EmoVerity) into a cohesive system for professional and pre-professional performers at Ellenwood Studios.
Through The Edge of the Stage podcast, Matthew (with co-host Berit Elizabeth) explores "techniques, tools and tips from performer training to connect to yourself and others with purpose and presence all while navigating your own life as a human." Matthew and Berit draw upon their academic training and years of experience as performers, directors, and movement specialists to create a podcast that seeks both to enlighten and entertain listeners.
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.
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. In addition to owning and operating Ellenwood Studios, Matthew is a freelance vocal and musical director, pianist/conductor, and has served many professional artists and companies nationwide.
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 as a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
Matthew co-founded Integrated Vocal Pedagogy (IVP) with voice science researcher Kerrie Obert (M.A., C.C.C./S.L.P.) and fellow EMT Dr. David Hoffman (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). Kerrie, David, and Matthew occasionally 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.
ABOUT ELLENWOOD STUDIOS
Founded in Chicago in 1995, Ellenwood Studios serves professional and pre-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.