Meet the Staff!

Matthew Keating ○ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Matthew Keating has 26 years of experience in solo cello performance, chamber music, orchestral performance, arranging, private teaching, and conducting.

Mr. Keating started his music studies at the age of 8 at the Claremont Community School of Music, where he studied with Ana Maria Maldonado.  Over his ten years of study there, he developed a life long love of cello, chamber music, and performing.   

Mr. Keating holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in orchestral studies and cello performance from California State University Northridge, where he attended on a full merit-based music scholarship.  While at CSUN, Mr. Keating was part of the Honors String Quartet, played with the American Youth Symphony, the Debut Orchestra, and studied with notable cellists David Aks and Diane Rosetti. He continued his studies in Trossingen, Germany at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik, where he studied cello performance under renowned Japanese cellist Sadao Harada and orchestral conducting under the tutelage of Herr Manfred Schreier.  

After his time in Germany, Matthew traveled to Hawaii and began performing as cellist in the Honolulu Symphony.  While performing with the Honolulu symphony, Matthew toured to the various Hawaiian Islands working with the community and bringing live orchestral performances to unique, non-traditional public venues. Matthew also served as a full-time director of the orchestra program at the Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii, working with over 500 students in eight different orchestras, 5th grade -12th grade.  He also founded the elementary orchestra program in the Moanalua public school district, taught K-6th grade music at the Hanahau`oli School, and worked as an adjunct professor at Hawaii Pacific University. 

After Hawaii, Mr. Keating returned to Los Angeles, where he continued to perform and teach cello, with a particular emphasis in chamber music.  During his time in Los Angeles, Matthew has recorded albums, recorded with artists, acted as a guest lecturer at California State University Northridge and was invited to be guest conductor for the San Bernardino County Honors High School Youth Orchestra.  Mr. Keating’s cello can be heard in movies and network television shows as well.  He continues performing throughout Southern California as a soloist and chamber music artist and is currently the adjunct cello instructor at the University of La Verne.  Mr. Keating is also the recipient of the prestigious 2018 CSUN Volunteer Service Award recognizing his contribution to arts and service in the community.

In 2013, Matthew Keating was hired as the Executive Director of the Claremont Community School of Music, where he has served for over 10 years.  As the Executive Director, Mr. Keating not only has a private teaching studio for cello, but also teaches group cello classes, conducts the Prelude Symphonic Ensemble youth orchestra program, and assists in the musical development of the 1,000 students that currently attend the school of music.  During his tenure with the school of music, Mr. Keating has cultivated a jazz program, a chamber music program and tirelessly fundraised tens of thousands of dollars for the School of Music community fund to allow every child that wishes to study music the opportunity to do so. 

Mr. Keating lives in Claremont with his wife Jessica and their two daughters, Colette and Clara.  

Brian Teuber ○ BUSINESS MANAGER

Gloria Cangahuala ○ BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

Kristin Simpson ○ OFFICE ASSISTANT TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Karen-Michele Bull ○ REGISTRAR

Jean Sielen ○ REGISTRAR

Rebecca Huebner ○ REGISTRAR