Matt Salvo is a Music Director, Pianist, and Vocal Coach recently returned to La Crosse, Wisconsin after four years spent in Chicago working professionally. Receiving degrees in Piano Performance and Music Theory from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, his early career took form in La Crosse before moving to Chicago in 2017. Matt always had a passion for making music with other people, and naturally found being an accompanist a great way to do that. Taking advantage of the resources available, Matt also pursued related interests in conducting, choral direction, vocal coaching, and more, all in the interest of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and a desire to always have the right skills available for any gig.
Matt currently holds a full time position with Viterbo University as a Vocal Coach, Accompanist, and Music Director. Additionally he continues freelancing between La Crosse and Chicago as a Music Director and Keyboardist.
Photographer: Jessica Miller
Music Director
Matt came to Music Direction as a natural outgrowth of his ample work as a rehearsal pianist and pit musician. Some of his more formative experiences were under music directors Kathryn Skemp-Moran and Nancy Allen. When approaching a show Matt takes a holistic view, demanding musical perfection and accurate representation of the composer’s voice in the room, while at the same time remaining sensitive to dramatic needs, finding ways to marry the visions of the director and choreographer with the existing music. Constantly striving to improve his skills, Matt has recently been delving deeply into electronic music design use in modern orchestra pits.
Pianist
Matt is an active collaborative performer. His advanced studies were under Dr. Mary Tollefson, but just as much has been learned from every musician Matt has had the pleasure of performing with, constantly deepening and expanding his knowledge of repertoire and style. Recent classical performances include work with baritone Bryant Young, soprano Kathryn Skemp-Moran, and bass Liam Moran. Matt is also an active pit musician; some of his favorite books to play include Key III on Legally Blonde, Key II on Altar Boyz, and Key II on In the Heights.
Coach
Having spent years as an accompanist, Matt has had the benefit of observing thousands of voice lessons with many different teachers. This wide exposure to various methods of teaching and talking about technique enables him to condense the most effective methods into his coaching style. He excels at finding the unique language spoken by the performer to effectively communicate technique and style adjustments. He has also spent much time in audition rooms, both behind the table and behind the piano, and can speak to what works and what doesn’t work. Part of his goals within a coaching session include not only polishing the music to a high degree, but allowing acting choices to influence the music and vice versa. Matt has extensive experience as a private coach in the Chicago area, as well as coaching for institutions such as Viterbo University and University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
Band
Matt has played keyboards with Flibbertijibbet since 2015. Having recently released their second studio album, A Mississippi Life, they are excited to see what comes next. Playing with Flib is one of Matt’s most enjoyable roles as a musician. Playing in a Jam Band style, Flib has been around in one form or another since 1991.
