One of FIU School of Music’s recent graduates, Matthew Sheary, has been appointed as executive director of the Greater Miami Youth Symphony (GMYS). He received both a Bachelor of Music Education (2014) as well as a Master of Science in Music Education (2016), while he studied viola performance under the direction of Michael Klotz, a member of FIU’s Amernet String Quartet.
With dreams of teaching music since the tender age of 13, Sheary wanted to maximize his potential and rise to new heights as a musician. In 2010, he enrolled at FIU and spent the next 6 years working as a student, private instructor, string clinician, arranger, performer, classroom teacher and administrator, successfully demonstrating his versatility within the arts community. As an educator, he has had the opportunity of teaching under the umbrella of the Miami-Dade County Public School system, has worked as a conductor in the string, band and instrumental ensembles at Gulliver Academy in Coral Gables, and has worked as an instructor in the String Project at the FIU School of Music.
According to Sheary, “This opportunity was possible because of the support from the professors in the School of Music. They have shaped me into the music educator that I am today. Their educational research and innovative ways of thinking gave me new sight in how to teach music. String faculty members, Michael Klotz, Jason Calloway, Misha Vitenson and Marcia Littley, provided constant support in both performance and education efforts. Their level of playing and instruction was nothing short of inspiring and is a constant reminder of what it took for me to get where I’m at. I owe my success to these professors and FIU for their instrumental role in providing me the proper guidance, support and opportunities in my field.”
At FIU, he was awarded a community outreach scholarship which enabled him to assist instruction in both the Young Mozart’s and String Orchestra ensembles of GMYS. GMYS is an independent five-level orchestra program dedicated to training young musicians between 5 and 18 years of age. Conceived as a complementary facet to musical instruction in the schools, it has continuously succeeded in presenting high caliber performances to South Florida audiences.
Upon hearing the news of Sheary’s new position, violist, mentor and member of the Amernet String Quartet Michael Klotz, remarked that “I am confident that will take one of Miami’s top educational institutions to new heights. He has always exhibited qualities of leadership, curiosity, and fine musicianship.”
