Born in San Jose, California, Matthew moved to north Georgia at an early age where he took up guitar studies with renowned pedagogue John Sutherland. Matthew began serious studies as a Presidential Scholar with Mr. Sutherland at Georgia State University, where he graduated Summa cum laude with Distinction from the School of Music. He then continued studies with John Sutherland at the University of Georgia under the prestigious University-Wide Teaching Assistantship in the areas of guitar and music theory. In addition to studies with Mr. Sutherland, Matthew has performed in masterclasses with Paul O'Dette, Matteo Mela, Patrick Lui, and Christopher Parkening. He has also studied music theory with Dr. Ronald Squibbs as well as electronic music with composer Dr. Leonard V. Ball, Jr. Matthew has distinguished himself as a guitarist in a number of ways, including a select performance for Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin; guest performer at the UGA Study Abroad 2001 Art Exhibit in Cortona, Italy; a performance in the final recital of the 2003 Christopher Parkening Masterclass; First Prize and Convention Recitalist in the 2003 GMTA Spring Competition; featured guitarist on the 2005 documentary film, “Alvar Sunol: His Vision and His Art”; guitarist on Sam Hagan's album, His Eye is on the Sparrow; and he has given the Georgia premier of several works, including Chiel Meijering's “Autobahnkrieg", Yamil Berguener's "Ranvicnaxanaxac Lsoxoic", and Federico Ghedini's "Studio da Concerto". Matthew passed his Master of Music Examinations with Distinction and graduated Magna cum laude from the University of Georgia. He is currently working on his DMA in performance at the same institution while minoring in music theory. In the spring of 2005, Matthew was chosen by John Sutherland to be a founding member of the Athens Guitar Trio. Adding to the trio as well as setting himself apart as a soloist, Matthew often performs on a rare 11-string guitar built for him by Kenny Hill. He is currently on faculty at Reinhardt College in Waleska, Georgia, and North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, Georgia.

About his 11-string guitar, it consists of a normal 6-string guitar accompanied by 5 extra bass strings. The 7th and 8th strings are normal, fretted strings that cover fingerboard (they are usually tuned to B and A respectively). Strings 9-11 are "harp" strings, in that they do not have a fretboard underneath them. They are usually tuned to G - F - E respectively, but these are more likely to be altered depending on the piece. Since having the lowest guitar in the trio was not enough, he also has a C-extension that gives him the highest range in the trio as well!!