Dr. Matt Hill
Biography
Education
- Matt earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2019 under the tutelage of Dr. Pete Eklund.
- Matt earned a Master’s degree in choral conducting as a Graduate Assistant at Oklahoma State University in 2012 under the tutelage of Dr. Z. Randall Stroope.
Invited/Contracted Appearances
Dr. Hill is regularly called upon to share interest sessions at state and regional conferences.
2023 appearances include:
ACDA National Conference – Presenter
NCDA Annual Conference – Presenter
Nebraska Music Education Association – Presenter
2022 appearances include:
South Dakota Choral Directors Association – HEADLINER
ACDA Western Regional Conference – Presenter
ACDA Northwest Regional Conference – Presenter
Nebraska Music Education Association – Presenter
NCDA Annual Conference – Presenter
2021 appearances include:
Missouri Choral Directors Association – Presenter
South Carolina Choral Directors Association – Presenter
ACDA “Voices United” Regional Conference – Presenter
Pennsylvania Choral Directors Association – Presenter
Nebraska Music Education Association – Presenter
Collegiate Teaching
Matt joined Creighton University as Director of Choral Activities in 2023 where he conducts the Chamber Choir and University Chorus, while teaching music coursework.
Matt served Peru State College as Director of Choral Activities from 2014 to 2023. He was promoted to Associate Professor and granted tenure in April, 2020. His teaching duties at Peru State included Music Theory, Music History, Choral Methods, Conducting, and direction of the Concert Choir and Women’s Choir. His service to the campus community included membership on the Rank Promotion and Tenure Committee, Chairmanship of the Assessment Committee, and two terms on the Faculty Senate.
Professional Choral Work
Matt founded Sing Omaha Inc. in January, 2007. This 501c3 nonprofit organization serves as the nation’s only K-12/adult choral arts nonprofit, and is comprised of ten choirs which serve more than 400 singers in Douglas and Sarpy County Nebraska each year.
Additionally, Sing Omaha Studios offers two locations for private lessons in piano, voice, and guitar with the state’s only fully-degreed staff of teachers, all of whom hold Bachelor’s degrees or better in music.
Matt serves as Executive Director and Artistic Director, managing the organization’s budget, nonprofit status, and day-to-day management including oversight of more than 30 administrative and artistic/educational staff. He also serves as an ex-officio member of the Sing Omaha Board of Directors, maintains a full voice/piano studio, and conducts two of Sing Omaha’s ten ensembles.
Matt oversees membership, staff, and Board recruitment, concert programming, logistics (rehearsal and concert venues, guest artists, commissions, etc.), maintains Sing Omaha’s three websites and other press. He also solicits private, corporate, and grant funding to supplement the organization’s operation costs.
In addition to his work with Sing Omaha, Matt has served in music ministry steadily since 2003, and has performed as a conductor, chorister, and featured soloist with numerous local and regional ensembles. He is also regularly called upon to conduct clinics, festivals, and honor choirs, and to adjudicate choral/vocal competitions in Nebraska and around the country.
Honors & Awards
- Dr. Hill was honored to conduct the Nebraska Choral Directors Association’s All-State Mixed Choir in July, 2019.
- Peru State College named Matt as the 2019 Teaching Excellence Award winner (faculty member of the year). Matt was honored to join Peru State administrators and other dignitaries in the stage party at the May 2019 Commencement ceremony where he shared a brief address with the graduating class. A video of the speech is available on his YouTube channel.
- The Nebraska Choral Directors Association honored Matt as their “Choral Conductor of the Year” for the 2018-19 academic year.
- Matt was named to the Midlands Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list of businesspeople in 2017 for his work with Sing Omaha Inc.
- In the Fall of 2015, Matt was honored as the “Young Choral Director of the Year” by Nebraska Choral Directors Association
- Matt was inducted into the Oklahoma State University Music Education Hall of Fame in the Fall of 2014 as its inaugural member.
Industry Service
Matt has served the Nebraska Choral Directors Association Board since 2009 as the organization’ s Community Choirs Repertoire and Resources Chairman. Additionally, Matt has contributed to the creation of NCDA’s independent 501c3 non-profit status, and to other governance issues. Matt was elected as the organization’s Treasurer in 2018. NCDA’s board asked Matt to take on a staff position as the Operations Manager for the organization, with the desire to maintain leadership continuity beyond what an elected term would allow. Matt resigned as Treasurer, and accepted the Operations Manager position in the spring of 2020.
Dr. Hill is also grateful for the opportunity to serve the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) as the National Community Choirs Repertoire and Resources Chairman, with his term beginning in June, 2021.