MATC Music Occupations Program - Success Stories - Tony Gehring

“When I think about my time in the Music Occupations program the first thing I think about is family.  I went into this new experience not knowing anybody and not really even knowing what I was getting into and walking out a few years later with friends that I will have for life.  The Music Occupations program greatly benefited my playing skills, musical knowledge and networking ideas.

The theory and harmony classes taught by Steve Peplin were very easy to understand.  He took very complicated topics broke them down to the ground level and then built them back up.  Taking bass classes with Tom McGirr helped my playing immensely.  I was able to sight read better and apply the knowledge from the theory and harmony classes onto my instrument.

The Music Business class with Ben Hans was a great life experience.  At the time I was taking the Music Business class, my band Living Dred was just finishing up recording on our first album.  We were also planning on touring that summer after the album came out.  I had no idea about copyrights, press kits or how to start the process of promotion.  Ben helped guide me through the proper steps and also gave insightful ideas on how to get signed, start your own record label and how to network successfully with other musicians.  Since then Living Dred has toured twice, played over 200 shows, and we’re currently getting ready to release our 2^nd album.

I always look back at my time at MATC very fondly.  Before MATC I had fun playing music and not really understanding what I was doing.  Since leaving, it’s easier for me to write songs, I’m able to help my fellow band member’s better understand what they’re playing and I maintain successful relationships with venue owners and other bands.  It’s always great to go to local shows and run into MATC students and faculty, we still are one big family.”

-Tony Gehring

www.facebook.com/livingdred

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wekwO_Mcyz0

MATC Music Occupations Program - Success Stories - Denise Burton

"Since I was four I knew that I wanted to grow up to be a musician. Years of piano recitals, choirs and musicals led me to enrolling in to MATC's music program at the age of 19. I didn't know that MATC had a music program at first, so I was so happy because of the affordability. My experience there can be summed up in one word FAMILY. My classmates mean the world to me I am so blessed to have met so many talented individuals. All of my instructors are so talented, knowledgeable and supportive; they helped me take my skills to the next level. I didn't know how to read sheet music when I enrolled. Now I not only know how to read sheet music I am able to write it as well. I've also acquired knowledge in music theory, composition, performing, singing, recording and a laundry list of other things. Thanks to all my caring instructors, I am now employed as a contracted music teacher. I will be going into my third year and have already taught in over eight schools, grades K-4 through 12. I have performed at African World festival 2010 with my band Black Coffee(All Girls Band). I am a recipient of the Student Production Award for the Television Academy for the Connections 2010 project. I now have my own studio (JREAM Productions) from the business plan I wrote in Ben Hans' Music Business class five years ago. My husband and I are in the process of starting a Non-Profit titled JREAM Kids, which will educate youth in the Multimedia Arts. I am currently working on my first Album and Ep and I am venturing into jingle writing, I am thankful to my deceased father who thought to buy me a keyboard before I started kindergarten; my mother for her unending belief in me; my husband for sharing his dream with me; my family and friends who are my backbone; my God for giving me this gift and all my instructors for pouring knowledge into me, because of them my career is taking off with unlimited potential and I’m excited to see how far I’ll go."

Denise Burton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLQLn8WvdoE

MATC Music Occupations Program - Success Stories - Nick Matzke

After graduating from High School in 2002, I decided to enroll in the Music Occupations program at M.A.T.C.  I came in as a player who was mostly self-taught with a limited knowledge of theory, composition, and reading.  From day one I was very excited about the learning environment that the program provided for me.  I got to learn from instructors who were masters at their craft and really enjoyed networking and playing with the fellow students.  Most of my music connections in Milwaukee were made through students and faculty at M.A.T.C.  Getting to take the guitar classes with Steve Peplin was really helpful for my sight-reading and he helped me transition from being primarily a rock player to being able to also play jazz.  Hal Miller’s music theory classes really gave me a strong understanding of both jazz and classical theory.  Jack Grassel was also a huge influence with the ear training classes he taught as well as the lessons I took with him.  He really opened my eyes and ears to the world of jazz and taught some very valuable lessons.  Ben Hans taught a music business class that really helped me understand how to make a living playing music and how to promote.  I also got into recording through M.A.T.C. when I took Jeff Taylor’s class.  A lot of the recoding techniques learned in that class are techniques I still use today and it served as a great foundation for my time after M.A.T.C.  I also really enjoyed playing in the ensembles with all the different tunes and styles we got to play.   

While at M.A.T.C. I learned about Berklee College of Music in Boston from Steve Peplin who was a graduate of Berklee.  Once I graduated from M.A.T.C. in 2005, I applied to Berklee and with the knowledge I learned in the Music Occupations program, I was able get accepted and test into upper level theory and ear training classes at Berklee.  I was able to transfer all my general course credits from M.A.T.C. into Berklee and was able to focus strictly on music courses at Berklee.  I was able to finish a five-year dual major program in three years.  I graduated from Berklee in 2008 with a Bachelors Degree in Performance and Music Production & Engineering.  I moved out to Los Angeles and was able to get a job working at Westlake Recording Studio, which is one of LA’s top studios most famous for being the studio used by Michael Jackson for most of his albums.  I got an inside look at the recording industry and the experience of working at a Studio that records major label clients every day.  Kelly Clarkson, T-Pain, Seal, The Jonas Brothers, are just a few of the artists who recorded there while I worked at Westlake.  While I enjoyed the time in LA and gained valuable experience, I realized if I were to continue on the path of being an audio engineer, I would have to give up life as a player.  After a year of working in LA, I relocated to Houston to accept a full time teaching position in 2009.  I’m currently back to doing what I love which is performing with multiple bands and teaching full time.  I also do freelance engineering, mixing, and producing on the side.  I released my first solo album “Physical Proof” in 2009 and in the 9 years since I started at M.A.T.C. I recorded many albums with different bands such as 7 on 6, The Orphonic Orchestra. The Konami Kode, and have also produced, engineered, and mixed albums by artist’s such as Emily Kiel, Highway 59, Wings Burn Away, and Elei Ferrucci.   

Some people would think I view M.A.T.C. as just a stepping-stone, but to me my time at M.A.T.C. was just as valuable as my time at Berklee.  Without the knowledge, skills, and contacts I gained during my time in the Music Occupations program I would not be where I am today.  Thank you to all the instructors in program for giving me a great music education.

--Nick Matzke
Guitarist----Recording & Mixing Engineer----Instructor www.nickmatzke.com

www.youtube.com/nickmatzkemusic
www.cdbaby.com/nickmatzke

www.myspace.com/shredfactoryproductions

MATC Music Occupations Program - Success Stories - Bob Schaab

“Before MATC, I had been playing drums for about 5 years.  I had an interest in music since 7^th grade, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do with it.  It wasn’t until my senior year in high school where I found out that Milwaukee Area Technical College had a Music Occupations program.  After researching the program, it sounded too good to be true.  I had the great pleasure to work with awesome professors such as Ben Hans, Hal Miller, Robbi Heighway, Steve Peplin, Jim Reith, Julie Brandenburg, and Gary Williams.  They helped me propel not only my ability to play my instrument, but as well as my appreciation towards other genres of music and instrumentalists, business, my ability to play in an ensemble/band, and my sight reading.”

“Since my time at MATC, I have performed in many bands and ensembles, such as MATC Jazz Trio, Cartilage Party, Paradigm Shifters, Spur, James Murphy/Jon Lovas Quartet, Hale O Malo, UWM Symphony, Mr. Logek and the Noise, the MATC All-Stars, plus many others, and most recently, have had the great honor to perform with the legendary Bob Becker.  I also teach at the Wisconsin Academy of Music as a Percussion and Bass Guitar teacher.  As of now, I’m working on a vast number of projects soon to be coming out of the woodwork this year and have a load of shows coming up. 

“The greatest thing about MATC was that all the professors and students were incredibly supportive, and I have the great pleasure to call my friends.  I’ve never gotten support and encouragement like that anywhere else.  They were always willing to help when I had a question or saw me struggling.  They also helped me get out there in the field, playing shows while I was still in school.  I can’t find enough words to say how grateful I am from everyone in the MATC Music Department, professors and students!  They helped me pave a path towards my career goal and I’m well on my way.  Thank you all!”

-Bob Schaab

At the time of this writing, Bob is currently studying music at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee