Meet the Team
Matt Klumpp (he/him), Studio Collaborative Pianist
Matt Klumpp began his career as a pianist at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While at IUP Matt studied piano with Dr. James Staples, composition with Mr. Daniel Pierlongo, and jazz with Dr. Kevin Eisensmith and Dr. Keith Young. In 2012 Matt received a Masters of Music with an Emphasis in Collaborative Piano from Duquesne University. While at Duquesne he studied piano with David Allen Wehr and Yeeha Chiu, as well as jazz piano with Ronald Bickel.
Since coming to Greensburg Matt has performed with the Westmoreland Symphony, the Joan Chambers Concert Series at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, and as an accompanist with the Newlonsburg Music Academy, the Pittsburgh Flute Academy, and for the annual seminars by renowned flutist Bernard Goldberg. Matt performs regularly in the jazz genre as well, including several recent performances with vocalist Sam Brooks, guitarist Drew Bentley and trombonist Harold Betters. Last year Matt became a member of the band Protégé, produced by Studio E Entertainment. Through Studio E Entertainment Matt has given performances with Gary Racan, former lead singer of the Vogues and co-owner of the company, as well as for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. Matt maintains a private teaching studio at Bentley and Romito Professional Music Lessons, located in Irwin, PA.
Matt Klumpp began his career as a pianist at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While at IUP Matt studied piano with Dr. James Staples, composition with Mr. Daniel Pierlongo, and jazz with Dr. Kevin Eisensmith and Dr. Keith Young. In 2012 Matt received a Masters of Music with an Emphasis in Collaborative Piano from Duquesne University. While at Duquesne he studied piano with David Allen Wehr and Yeeha Chiu, as well as jazz piano with Ronald Bickel.
Since coming to Greensburg Matt has performed with the Westmoreland Symphony, the Joan Chambers Concert Series at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, and as an accompanist with the Newlonsburg Music Academy, the Pittsburgh Flute Academy, and for the annual seminars by renowned flutist Bernard Goldberg. Matt performs regularly in the jazz genre as well, including several recent performances with vocalist Sam Brooks, guitarist Drew Bentley and trombonist Harold Betters. Last year Matt became a member of the band Protégé, produced by Studio E Entertainment. Through Studio E Entertainment Matt has given performances with Gary Racan, former lead singer of the Vogues and co-owner of the company, as well as for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. Matt maintains a private teaching studio at Bentley and Romito Professional Music Lessons, located in Irwin, PA.
Since coming to Greensburg Matt has performed with the Westmoreland Symphony, the Joan Chambers Concert Series at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, and as an accompanist with the Newlonsburg Music Academy, the Pittsburgh Flute Academy, and for the annual seminars by renowned flutist Bernard Goldberg. Matt performs regularly in the jazz genre as well, including several recent performances with vocalist Sam Brooks, guitarist Drew Bentley and trombonist Harold Betters. Last year Matt became a member of the band Protégé, produced by Studio E Entertainment. Through Studio E Entertainment Matt has given performances with Gary Racan, former lead singer of the Vogues and co-owner of the company, as well as for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. Matt maintains a private teaching studio at Bentley and Romito Professional Music Lessons, located in Irwin, PA.
Matt Klumpp began his career as a pianist at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While at IUP Matt studied piano with Dr. James Staples, composition with Mr. Daniel Pierlongo, and jazz with Dr. Kevin Eisensmith and Dr. Keith Young. In 2012 Matt received a Masters of Music with an Emphasis in Collaborative Piano from Duquesne University. While at Duquesne he studied piano with David Allen Wehr and Yeeha Chiu, as well as jazz piano with Ronald Bickel.
Since coming to Greensburg Matt has performed with the Westmoreland Symphony, the Joan Chambers Concert Series at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, and as an accompanist with the Newlonsburg Music Academy, the Pittsburgh Flute Academy, and for the annual seminars by renowned flutist Bernard Goldberg. Matt performs regularly in the jazz genre as well, including several recent performances with vocalist Sam Brooks, guitarist Drew Bentley and trombonist Harold Betters. Last year Matt became a member of the band Protégé, produced by Studio E Entertainment. Through Studio E Entertainment Matt has given performances with Gary Racan, former lead singer of the Vogues and co-owner of the company, as well as for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. Matt maintains a private teaching studio at Bentley and Romito Professional Music Lessons, located in Irwin, PA.
André Solomon (he/him), Substitute teaching staff
André Solomon (he/him) is originally from Methuen, Massachusetts and currently based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by way of Syracuse, New York. His academic ventures earned him a Bachelor of Arts in Flute from Syracuse University and a Masters of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University concentrating on Community Engagement. With both degrees, André hopes to enforce social justice for the arts; a belief that the arts are not frivolous but a necessary component of human development. Being a person of color in the Arts world, both as an artist and arts manager, he desires to provide opportunities for people of the global majority to visualize representation; therefore, ownership to actualize their dreams.
André worked for Creative Generation as the Community Knowledge Manager amplifying the work of young creatives by producing new and honoring existing forms of knowledge and ways of knowing while dismantling systemic barriers to sharing and learning; and expanding definitions of and pathways to leadership, through unique learning communities. The work focuses on the application of justice and liberatory approaches and harnesses deep expertise in democratizing knowledge, documenting promising practices, and developing meaningful learning experiences to skillfully translate complex topics into knowledge products to enable field-building.
While in Pittsburgh, André has had the pleasure of co-directing Make Music PGH and working for the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council as the Manager of Programs aiding program development, supporting COVID-19 Working Groups, and implementing Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives.
As a musician, André has kept a daily practice regime, maintained a social media presence, enrolled in lessons with Sarah Steranka, participated in music ensembles (i.e. Carnegie Mellon University’s Chamber Ensemble and City Flutes), co-led the Three River’s Chamber Collective, shared resources that pertain to the music community, and serves on the board of the Merrimack Valley Community Music School. Being classically trained and a dabbler in jazz, the music community in Pittsburgh has allowed him to explore his versatility as he has stepped into contemporary pieces from the late 20th and 21st centuries.
He recently won a National Flute Association Competition in 2023 with his two recorded pieces: Alfredo Casella’s Barcarola et Scherzo Op. 4 and Allison Loggins-Hull’s Homeland. As one of the winners, he was a part of the National Flute Association’s 2023 Fall virtual series where he performed Alonso Malik Pirio's piece, Sonata for Flute and Piano and was interviewed live.
André worked for Creative Generation as the Community Knowledge Manager amplifying the work of young creatives by producing new and honoring existing forms of knowledge and ways of knowing while dismantling systemic barriers to sharing and learning; and expanding definitions of and pathways to leadership, through unique learning communities. The work focuses on the application of justice and liberatory approaches and harnesses deep expertise in democratizing knowledge, documenting promising practices, and developing meaningful learning experiences to skillfully translate complex topics into knowledge products to enable field-building.
While in Pittsburgh, André has had the pleasure of co-directing Make Music PGH and working for the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council as the Manager of Programs aiding program development, supporting COVID-19 Working Groups, and implementing Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives.
As a musician, André has kept a daily practice regime, maintained a social media presence, enrolled in lessons with Sarah Steranka, participated in music ensembles (i.e. Carnegie Mellon University’s Chamber Ensemble and City Flutes), co-led the Three River’s Chamber Collective, shared resources that pertain to the music community, and serves on the board of the Merrimack Valley Community Music School. Being classically trained and a dabbler in jazz, the music community in Pittsburgh has allowed him to explore his versatility as he has stepped into contemporary pieces from the late 20th and 21st centuries.
He recently won a National Flute Association Competition in 2023 with his two recorded pieces: Alfredo Casella’s Barcarola et Scherzo Op. 4 and Allison Loggins-Hull’s Homeland. As one of the winners, he was a part of the National Flute Association’s 2023 Fall virtual series where he performed Alonso Malik Pirio's piece, Sonata for Flute and Piano and was interviewed live.
Alyssa Brandle (she/her), Substitute teaching staff
Alyssa Brandle has relocated to the Pittsburgh area from Johnstown, PA to attend Duquesne University to pursue a Master’s Degree in Flute Performance. Her first private teacher of eight years, Agnes McConaughey, had passed away after dedicating her life to promoting music in the community. Her unrelenting devotion and generously provided constructive criticism no doubt shaped who Alyssa is today. She hopes to carry the same drive and passion in her own career as she teaches the next generation of performers.
After graduating from college, Alyssa immediately started substitute teaching at two local school districts. At both districts, she held the position of long term substitute for elementary music. It taught her the ability to be flexible in a variety of situations and appreciate what they had to offer. These experiences motivated her to further her education to provide the highest quality education for her students.
Alyssa studied under Dr. Therese Wacker while at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She performed flute with the Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble and Flute Choir as well as performed on piccolo with the IUP Marching Band and Pep Band. Also, she played alto saxophone with the University Band. Alyssa started lessons with Sarah Steranka in the fall of 2022 while completing her bachelor’s degree. In 2023, she graduated Summa cum laude from IUP with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a Flute Focus.
Locally, Alyssa spent summers playing with two community bands, Civic Band and Reed Band. She has played in community bands since being in high school. Her greatest achievement during her high school career was being selected as an All-State Musician by the Pennsylvania Music Educator Association. She realized that she had the potential to become a great musician which gave her the confidence to develop the skills to teach others the joy of performing music.
After graduating with her master’s degree, Alyssa plans to play professionally with freelance work while working as an music educator. The best part of learning is being able to pass it on to others. While Alyssa does not expect to have a legacy to compare to that of her first private flute teacher (she passed at 93 still teaching), Alyssa wants to inspire students to love music in their own way. Alyssa feels that if she can provide one child with the sense of purpose she received from her instructor, her education and career will be worth all of the effort.
After graduating from college, Alyssa immediately started substitute teaching at two local school districts. At both districts, she held the position of long term substitute for elementary music. It taught her the ability to be flexible in a variety of situations and appreciate what they had to offer. These experiences motivated her to further her education to provide the highest quality education for her students.
Alyssa studied under Dr. Therese Wacker while at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She performed flute with the Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble and Flute Choir as well as performed on piccolo with the IUP Marching Band and Pep Band. Also, she played alto saxophone with the University Band. Alyssa started lessons with Sarah Steranka in the fall of 2022 while completing her bachelor’s degree. In 2023, she graduated Summa cum laude from IUP with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a Flute Focus.
Locally, Alyssa spent summers playing with two community bands, Civic Band and Reed Band. She has played in community bands since being in high school. Her greatest achievement during her high school career was being selected as an All-State Musician by the Pennsylvania Music Educator Association. She realized that she had the potential to become a great musician which gave her the confidence to develop the skills to teach others the joy of performing music.
After graduating with her master’s degree, Alyssa plans to play professionally with freelance work while working as an music educator. The best part of learning is being able to pass it on to others. While Alyssa does not expect to have a legacy to compare to that of her first private flute teacher (she passed at 93 still teaching), Alyssa wants to inspire students to love music in their own way. Alyssa feels that if she can provide one child with the sense of purpose she received from her instructor, her education and career will be worth all of the effort.