“The musical conversation becomes deeper and more satisfying the more often one plays with the same partner or small ensemble. When it clicks emotionally everyone rushes with it, everyone understands what’s happening and it just takes off.”
– Psychology Today Interview
Over the the past several years, Clayton Mathews has developed a sound that covers a large area from bluegrass to jazz and even classical music. Clayton has recently performed to sold out crowds at Joe’s Pub in NYC, the 2009 Audio Engineering Society Convention at Flux Studios and performance series at Rockwood Music Hall with songwriter Will Knox. Clayton also graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Music Production and Engineering and Violin Performance. The exposure has allowed the Indianapolis native to test his comfort playing different genres of music and allowed for more listeners to become accustomed to his sound.
Clayton wasn’t born into a musical family, but began learning classical music on the violin at the age of eight. His interest for music grew during adolescence to incorporate jazz and bluegrass, giving him the versatility of improvising and swing. As a teenager, he was heavily involved with orchestral and chamber music with the prestigious New World Youth Symphony Orchestra under Conductor and founder Susan Kitterman, but also performed with jazz combos.
More recently, Clayton has had the opportunity to perform with an international ensemble under the patronage of Queen Noor of Jordan performing and leading master classes around the United States to spread music education and the arts and has since shared the stage with great artists such as Herbie Hancock, Steve Gadd, Gloria Estefan, Paul Simon, Abe Laboriel, Stevie Winwood and Philip Bailey. As a young violinist, Clayton Mathews’ collaboration with artists such as Austin Bats, Sydney Wayser and Will Knox’s debut album The Matador and the Acrobat and sophomore EP Lexicon shows his creativity, versatility and ability to convey a mature sound on the violin.
“…a new sound on the violin…”
- Imagine Arts Magazine
My teaching approach reflects a combination of the educators I have studied under and my own musical experiences. I was raised within the classical tradition, which kept me heavily involved in chamber and orchestral performance. Later, I turned to other musical styles out of curiosity and a love for all of the different sounds that the violin can produce. Regardless of style, your musical performance should embody good tone, technique, intonation and an ability to read music well.
I have taught clinics in many cities in the US including Washington DC, Boston, Los Angeles, and Houston, as well as teaching clinics at colleges and universities such as Rice University and George Washington University. After winning a regional Little Mozart’s Competition, two of my students were given the prestigious honor of playing at Carnegie Hall in New York City in a showcase that included young musicians from around the world.
Please contact me if you are interested in clinics or private instruction.