A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Music, Matthew Smith has been playing and teaching the guitar professionally since 1995. Besides teaching at his popular studio location in Columbia SC, Matthew is also a faculty member at Newberry College where he teaches guitar courses, lessons, and ensembles. Matthew's years of performing and recording experience includes rhythm and lead guitar work in rock, jazz, blues, and country music styles as well as solo and ensemble performances on classical guitar. His flexible teaching style is suited for those wishing to either strum and sing songs, read music, play by ear, understand theory, or all of the above.
Matthew offers lessons that provide a well-rounded and structured approach to not only learning chords and songs, but learning music. Although the skills required to play basic tunes can be learned in just a few lessons, many students continue their playing for years.
Lessons can focus on learning to read music, understanding music theory, improvisation, singing and playing, or even just playing "by ear". As the fundamentals are covered, players are also encouraged to bring in music they wish to learn.
Whatever type of guitar a student may choose to study, Matthew's unique and experienced approach to teaching encourages his students to learn the advantages of combining the techniques of all types of guitars.
Fall-Winter 2016-2017:
Thursday, September 22 - 8PM - Newberry College Music Faculty Showcase Concert @ Wiles Chapel
Sunday, September 25th, 3:30 PM - Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra @ Harbison Community Theater
Sunday, October 30th, 2-3 PM @ The Seven Oaks Park Recreation Center - Guitar Player's Class hosted by Matthew Smith -- Come join us for our first performance class of the 2016-17 season! Our class provides an opportunity for players to gain experience performing songs or pieces in front of others in a suppportive and friendly envirmonment. Each class, a group of players volunteer to come and perform, and a short and interactive discussion follows each performance, allowing students and audience to share their insight relating to the preperation involved in public performance. The class is FREE and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend! (More classes for the winter and spring will be announced soon)
Matthew Smith - solo guitar concerts - Join Matthew as he shares some of his most favorite music composed for the solo/classic guitar. These short and intimate concerts are FREE and open to the public:
Thursday, November 10th @ Noon - Anglican Church of the Epipany (2512 N. Beltline Dr, Columbia, SC)
Friday, November 18th @ 7:30 P.M. - Newberry College Alumni Music Center - West Memorial Recital Hall
Stay tuned... Matthew is planning more concerts for the 2016-17 concert season!
Matthew also has numerous weddings, private parties and events on the calendar. If you are interested in having live guitar music at your wedding, party, or special event, contact Matthew directly by text at (803) 466-3193 or email Matthew@msmithguitarstudio.com for booking information.
Matthew Smith's Guitar Studio is conveniently located just outside of Irmo, SC in Suite 204 of Charles Town Court, 6156 St. Andrews Road (directly across from Deno's and the Seven Oaks Shopping Center) — just minutes from I-26 and downtown Columbia.
Matthew is the sole operator of his studio and is therefore able to offer experienced and professional music instruction at lower rates than academies and music stores. Additionally, clients have direct contact with Matthew, making it easy to manage scheduling conflicts or questions that may arise.
On select days / times, players may schedule single lessons without the requirement of weekly attendance or monthly payment.
Students may also take the option of reserving a weekly 30 or 60 minute lesson time each week and paying on a flat-rate monthly tuiton system.
There is no registration fee required to enroll in private lessons.
30 min lesson
60 min lesson
weekly 30 min lessons
weekly 60 min lessons