President-Elect
Bio
Matthew Cunningham is the choral director at Brockton High School in Brockton, Massachusetts where he conducts five choirs, teaches piano classes, and is musical director for the spring musical. Choirs under his direction have consistently earned superior ratings at state and national festivals. They have performed at the 2016 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern Region Conference in Boston, MA, and at three conferences of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division – Providence 2015, Pittsburgh 2019, and Rochester 2023. Additionally, the BHS Concert Choir has sung at Symphony Hall in Boston and Mechanics Hall in Worcester as part of the MICCA Gold Medal Showcase. They have appeared in concert with the classic rock band, Foreigner, and The Handel & Haydn Society of Boston. The choir has performed for such dignitaries as U.S. Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, and the President of Cape Verde. In 2019, they were selected as the 2nd place winner in The American Prize in Choral Performance.
Matthew received his Master of Music Education (M.M.E.) from Florida State University and his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music Education from Providence College, where he graduated with honors. He has had the privilege of studying conducting with Dr. T.J. Harper, Dr. Kevin Fenton, Dr. Michael Hanawalt, and Dr. Michele Holt.
Matthew maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. Recent engagements include conducting the 2023 Central Massachusetts Junior District Chorus, the 2022 Tri County Massachusetts Festival Chorus, the 2019 All Cape and Islands Senior Chorus, the 2018 Quabbin Valley Music Educators Association Senior Mixed Chorus, and the 2017 Rhode Island All State Junior Treble Chorus. An active member of NAfME and ACDA, Matthew currently serves as President-elect of Massachusetts ACDA, Vocal Adjudication Chairperson for SEMMEA, and is a member of the Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, & Access Committee for MMEA. He has served as Concert Coordinator for the 2019 Massachusetts All State Music Festival and Coordinator of the 2020 ACDA Eastern Region High School Honor Choir. Matthew is currently a quarterfinalist for the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Award.
Additionally, Matthew keeps busy as a freelance musical director and keyboard player for local theatre companies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He is also assistant music director for the Together In Christ Collaborative of West Bridgewater and East Bridgewater, MA.