Drawing upon more than 40 years of playing music and over 20 years of teaching guitar, Matt brings a wealth of musical experience to every student.  His students range from 5 to 75 years of age, from complete beginners to seasoned players.  Matt’s abilities in jazz, rock, acoustic fingerstyle, classical and Latin musical styles are most evident in his work as a solo artist and in his work with musical artists such as Larry Coryell, Joey DeFrancesco, Essra Mohawk and Kenwood Dennard.

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Matt Richards attended Temple University where he studied with jazz guitarist Tom Giacabetti and became acquainted with jazz/ fusion guitar legend Larry Coryell (whom he considers a mentor). Matt later studied with New York session legend Steve Khan and French guitar virtuoso Pierre Bensusan.

 

In addition to teaching at Ambler Music Academy, Matt has been a faculty member of AMLA, Frankfordstyle Arts (where he also served as Head of Faculty), Zanaras Music Stores (where he also served as program director), Nelly Berman School of Music and Spring Lake Farm Arts Camp. Matt conducts his own workshops and clinics and has co-conducted
improvisation workshops at Berklee College with drummer Kenwood Dennard.

Matt's professional musical experience includes live performances as a solo guitarist, in duo settings with artists such as guitarists Larry Coryell, Emiliano Pardo and Tony Hughes, vocalists Jay Katz, Arlyn Wolter and Phyllis Chapell and with his own Power Trio Jazz Project. He has been recently featured at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, the NAMM Summer and Winter Shows, the One Month Festival of South Korea and a broad range of venues, both intimate and grand. His fifth solo release Balance is
currently in post-production.