Paul Matz

Bassist Gary Paul Matz began his musical studies playing piano at the Pittsburgh Music Academy at age 8 followed by the double bass and tuba at age 12. Studying first under freelance bassist John Grillo followed by Pittsburgh Symphony bassist Peter Guild, Mr. Matz performed with various local youth orchestras and festivals including a tour to China with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony. Upon graduation, Mr. Matz began studies with former Pittsburgh Symphony Principal bassist Jeffrey Turner first at Carnegie Mellon University, then at Duquesne University. While studying under Mr. Turner, Mr. Matz joined both the Youngstown and Westmoreland symphony bass sections and won both the 2012 Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium and the 2013 Duquesne University Concerto competitions both in which he performed Bottesini’s second bass concerto. After achieving his Bachelor’s degree, Mr. Matz attended Rice University pursuing a Master’s degree under the tutelage of former Houston Symphony Principal Bassist Timothy Pitts along with additional studies under bass pedagogue Paul Ellison, followed by a one-year Advanced Music Studies Certificate at Carnegie Mellon University studying under Pittsburgh Symphony bassist Micah Howard. Currently, Mr. Matz is performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony as a one-year member. Among the summer festivals Mr. Matz has attended are the Eastern Music Festival, the National Orchestral Institute, the Montecito International Music Festival, the Wabass Institute, and the National Repertory Orchestra. Mr. Matz has also performed with orchestras backing Renée Flemming, Barry Manilow, Amy Grant, the O’Jays, and The Chieftains and as a substitute with the Symphony Orchestras of Pittsburgh, Rochester and Johnstown, the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Opera Project Columbus, and recently as a member of the orchestra for the 2018 Sarasota Opera Winter Festival. Mr. Matz currently performs on a Ferdinando Alberti Bass made in Milan circa 1740.