Performing throughout the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Denmark, and Holland, Matthew Cataldi (aka “Mr. Matt”) has performed a full range of solo, chamber, and orchestral works.   He has appeared as a soloist with the Springfield Symphony, Upper Arlington Symphony Orchestras and the Chamber Music Connection andh is  sound has been reviewed as "sweet and well-judged" (Cross Palms) and met with"clarity and strength" (Chicago Classical Music).  His performances can be heard on WFMT's Live Music Monday's and he has recorded for Cedille & NAxos Records.  He is also a Heid Music Artist.

Chamber music has been a primary focus in his and career, beginning with chamber music competition awards from the National String Teachers Association, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and study at Meadowmount School for Strings.  Since beginning his career in Chicago, he has performed in chamber music concerts with the Mendelssohn Chamber Arts Series, International Chamber Artists, and the Advent Chamber Players.  He is the first violinist for the Raven String Quartet and is the musical director of the Renovo String Orchestra.  His coaches have included Mathias Tacke, DaXun Zhang, David Campbell, Ik-Hwan Bae and Ann Setzer. 

Currently, he is a regular member of several regional orchestras most of which he has performed with as a principal performer and/or concertmaster.  His core groups include: Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra,  and he frequently performs with the Northwest Indiana Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic, Elmhurst Symphony, Fox Valley Symphony, New Philharmonic and Illinois Symphony Orchestras.  He has enjoyed working with festival ensembles such as the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, Green Lake Festival Orchestra and the Blue Lake Festival (Faculty) Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble.

Mr. Matt acquired his interested of period baroque performance while studying with Stanley Ritchie and Mary Springfels.  He is a core member of the Baroque Band and has performed with Calipigian Players, Rockford Bach Ensemble, and Chicago Opera Theatre.  Similarly, he has participated in the U.S.  premiere of La Buona Figola (The Good Servant Girl), a comic opera by Niccolo Piccini.  In contrast, his interest in contemporary music is mirrored by his performances in Accessible Contemporary Musicians, the Palomar Ensemble, and Aperiodic.

As an instructor, Mr. Matt has given guest lectures and recitals at the Columbia College of Chicago and Lake Forest College and he also started the Westerville Strings Academy and Little Crickets strings program at the McGaw YMCA.  He has  maintained a private studio at his residence for the past 5 years to which he attributes his students as his saving grace.

Mr. Matt received a Master’s degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Indiana University.  His is the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships, and scholarships at the local, state and national levels.  His principal teachers have included Gerardo Ribeiro, Ilya Kaler and Davis Brooks.

For current information about scheduling and availability, please contact him directly at .