Matt Barnhart

Matt Barnhart has over 10 years of experience in the field of music education. Matt began their career in 2008 as an Assistant Band Director for Clear Creek ISD, where they taught 6th grade beginner woodwind and low brass classes, and directed the Concert Band which received superior ratings in UIL concert and sight-reading contests as well as superior ratings in local festivals. Matt also assisted both the 7th/8th grade Honors Band (varsity) and the Symphonic Band (non-varsity) which were consistent UIL "sweepstakes" award winning ensembles. In 2012, they moved to Round Rock ISD as an Assistant Band Director, where they taught 6th grade beginning woodwind and brass classes in addition to leading and directing the 7th/8th grade Symphonic Band (non-varsity) class. In 2014, the Symphonic Band won their first UIL "sweepstakes" award in 10 years. Matt also assisted in rehearsals and conducted Honors Band (varsity) at the Music For All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, IN. In 2016, they moved to Houston ISD as the Head Band Director, where they completely restructured a struggling band program of 300+ students with the help of school administration. Matt taught mixed grade level beginning woodwind and high brass classes in addition to directing the Honors Band (varsity) ensemble. In 2017, the Honors Band won its first superior rating at UIL contest in 5 years. In 2018, they moved to Starlight Children's Foundation, where they held the roles of Manager, Corporate Partnerships, Senior Coordinator, Mission Delivery, and Coordinator, Mission Delivery. In their role as Coordinator, Mission Delivery, they coordinated the onboarding and continued support of 800+ hospital partners around the country, collaborated closely with the logistics team to support the delivery of programs to further Starlight's mission, identified and engaged potential hospital partners, and generated reports producing an overall picture of the organization's reach and impact in the communities the hospital partners serve using Salesforce and Excel.

Matt Barnhart obtained a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Houston between 2003 and 2008. In 2013, they obtained a Classroom Teacher: Music (EC-12) certification from the Texas Education Agency.