Matthew A Peterson is a 16-year-old baritone studying classical music. He released an original single “Coming Home” last year. We’ve asked him 5 questions to get to know him better.
NB: How did you begin writing your own songs?
Matthew A Peterson: I began writing five years ago when I took a music production class. Believe it or not, I actually wanted to quit! Thankfully, I had a fantastic teacher that encouraged me to stay in the class and is now my musical mentor. I’ve done professional theatre for years but this is where my writing began. I believed I had a voice and there were stories that needed to be told.
NB: What inspired Coming Home?
Matthew A Peterson: One day I was sitting at the piano and I came up with this melody that gave me goosebumps. I wanted lyrics that brought the same energy that the music did. I felt that it had a very oceanic sound so I wrote about an old lighthouse keeper who comes home after being out at sea. I wanted to tell a love story in a fresh new way that I haven’t heard done before. I liked the idea of a strong masculine story that held on to a certain romantic whimsy, thus the reason for flutes and chimes alongside the large timpani.
NB: Tell us a few highlights in your career so far?
Matthew A Peterson: Recently I was interviewed and was on the cover of TremorTalk Magazine by the International Tremor Foundation to encourage teens with essential tremor, like myself, to not let anything hold them back from their dreams. I was invited to be in an Off-Broadway Cabaret where I performed two original songs after the crowd called for an encore. I was also invited to attend the Opera program at Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts.
NB: What are some things you are working towards in terms of vocal and stage development? Are you currently taking lessons/classes distantly?
Matthew A Peterson: I’m currently working on another album and have been composing and conducting music for film and television. I hope to go on tour very soon (I had to cancel my summer shows due to the Covid-19 pandemic) and gain exposure to the classical crossover community, as well as those who enjoy the art in classically themed alternative music. I take private voice and piano, as well as music history, music studies, and music production.
NB: You recently released Something More. Tell us about these songs and your hopes for future recordings?
Matthew A Peterson: I released my album Something More on March 20th, 2020. My goal for this album was to tell a story. Every song had a different meaning and motive. I grew up in Pennsylvania, and think very fondly of the memories I had there, so I started the album with my story. I want Great Pennsylvania to be the theme of my home state. The rest of the songs are each a different stanza of the same epic. I wanted there to be a certain feeling of melancholy that was brought to life through classical themes and melodies that had redemptive endings. A modern aria in some ways while still keeping the listener interested and entertained.
To learn more about Matthew please visit his website
