MATT COOK
Teacher
Matt is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA with a BA in English and a minor in Music. His musical background spans the better part of 20 years when he began taking piano lessons at the age of five. Since then, Matt has evolved into an accomplished pianist, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, producer and arranger. In 2005, while living in Orange County, CA, Matt released his professional debut album “Coast to Coast”. Heading his own band, he has played numerous famous venues around the country, including Digital Palm Studios in Hollywood, CA, Café Du Jour in Pittsburgh, PA, and the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ. He has been Assistant Musical Director for theater productions of “Godspell” and “West Side Story” and Musical Director for Bob Lind’s documentary/concert DVD “Perspective”. Matt has also spent time singing tenor in both the Monmouth University and Loyola Marymount University choirs and touring San Francisco with LMU in 2008. Currently, Matt is recording his second full-length album, coinciding with the filming of a documentary based on his musical life with filmmaker Ronald J. Tomaino Jr. of Ripple Productions. A member of Small Factory Productions since 2009, Matt continues to both entertain as his own artist, while educating the next generation of young musicians.
What do you enjoy most about working with children?
Working with children can be rewarding in so many ways, but when I see the reaction of a student who has either finished a challenging piece of music for the first time or has created his or her own song, I take pride in knowing that I helped the student achieve that goal.
Tell me your most rewarding experience working at Small Factory?
Working on “Tyler’s Reef” with the teenagers from Riverview Medical Center has been my most rewarding experience to date. Their stories, based on their actual experiences of losing loved ones, were incredibly inspiring. I was amazed at how these kids were able to use horrible experiences in their lives to create an amazing piece of art.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Aside from my passion, music, I have always had an interest in sports. Originally from Middletown, NJ, I’m crazy about my NY sports teams, especially the Yankees. I’ve done some additional work as a sports broadcaster, the experiences which I’m also very excited to be bringing to Small Factory. For whatever reason, I’ve also always loved collecting rare and collectible toys.
