As the director of music at Winnetka Congregational Church, Matthew’s goal is to offer a wide variety of sacred music that edifies, encourages and uplifts the body of Christ – all of us who come together to worship God here. So, no matter who you are, where you come from, or the color of your skin, his hope is that the music we create together would connect and move us all into a more intimate space and relationship with God.
Born and raised in Evanston, IL, Matthew became involved in music and performance starting when he was very young and has participated in everything from Hip Hop dance troupes to baroque operas. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, he felt the Spirit calling him to work in the church and spent 6 years serving in the music ministry of a predominantly black church.
While there, he began to form a vision of a type of worship in which there was room for music from all kinds of sacred traditions, places, styles, and people, music old and new, and music that embraced and celebrated a diversity of faith expressions. He found that opportunity when he was called to Winnetka Congregational, first as an intern and then as our Director of Music.
Matthew is also the Director of the Gospel Choir at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL and is currently focusing on beginning his graduate studies in Music Education.