Matt

In addition to a degree in Music Education, Matt Huot has an extensive history as a musician and as a music educator. At an early age, Matt studied classical trumpet with a member of the Metropolitan Orchestra. At fifteen, Matt joined the Minnesota Youth Symphony, participating for three years under the direction of Manny Laureano (principle trumpet Minnesota Orchestra). By 16 Matt was playing professionally in a funk band, performing regularly in the Twin Cities and in a Brass quintet that played weddings and various church services. For his senior year of high school Matt mentored with Manny Laureano, regularly observing Minnesota Orchestra rehearsals. Successfully completing a tough audition, Matt made it into the Eastern Music Festival classical music camp which featured Grammy award winning trumpet player and composer Wynton Marsalis.

Matt continued to study trumpet at the University of Minnesota with Dr. David Baldwin. During his two years at the University Matt played in the Jazz I Big Band and the Symphonic Bands. Matt continued to play professionally with groups such as the Swing Beat Big Band (a professional brass quintet), the Mark Ledford Band (which opened for BB King), The Jazz Bastards, and the Valley Fair Beach Band. It was during these years that Matt started teaching professionally at Groth Music. After two years at the University of Minnesota Matt auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious brass school DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. The summer before going to Chicago Matt played top 40’s hits in a street band for Busch Gardens on Virginia Beach called the Boogie Band.

At DePaul University Matt studied trumpet with John Hagstrom (Co-principle of the Chicago Symphony), Matt Lee (Chicago Brass Quintet), and Bob Lark (DePaul Jazz Director and recording artist). During his time in Chicago Matt played in a variety of professional bands including salsa bands, blues bands, and a semi successful avante garde jazz trio. Matt decided to come back to Minnesota after living and playing professionally in Chicago for a couple of years.

Back in Minnesota, Matt earned his performance degree from Music Tech College (now McNally Smith College of Music). He studied with some of the best instrumentalists in the cities including Dave Jensen, Jeff Rainer, and Pete Whitman. Matt had the opportunity to play under the musical direction of Raymond Berg at the History Theater in a professional show called the “Sisters of Swing”. Once he graduated from Music Tech Matt went on to earn a degree in Music Education from Augsburg College.

At Augsburg College Matt had the opportunity to work in many different musical situations such as the music group The Jazz Bastards, The After Jazz Band, Augsburg gospel praise, Nathan Allen Blues Band, and Vocal Essence at the Ordway. While doing Vocal Essence at the Ordway Matt got to rehearse the Youth High School Jazz ensemble that played in the show. Matt taught at a Rock Camp for kids in Minneapolis run by the musical director at Marcy Open School.