STUDENT CENTER
Student Spotlight: Matthew Charboneau, MNO Candidate
Q: You have a strong interest in the performing arts, film and music. What specifically are you interested in and how do these interests relate to your work and education experiences?
A: Specifically I am interested in jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Flamenco music. I have been playing music for the better part of 16 years, first as a clarinetist and electric bass player in high school, and for the last 11 years as a freelance double bassist. In 2002 I received a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Presently, I work for the Lakewood Public Library where I help program and administrate their performing arts, film and lecture series. I also currently maintain a full-time playing schedule with a jazz/Afro-Cuban trio called the Up ensemble.
I am also very interested in ethnomusicology and non-traditional music history. I was fortunate enough to be able to use my elective credits in the MNO program to pursue Case Music Department classes in 20th century music, film music, arts management, and an independent study in African American music with Dr. Daniel Goldmark.
At this point I am debating whether or not to pursue another master's degree in the fields listed above. Most likely though, I will use my MNO degree to put myself in a position where I can develop and implement programs that focus on all of those genres and fields of performing arts and music studies.
Q: What is your ultimate career goal or something career-wise that you hope to tackle in the future?
A: Ideally I would like to start an arts council or consortium in Lakewood that will provide affordable performing arts instruction, concerts and master classes, educational outreach and advocacy for performing artists. I have friends in the area with degrees in dance who share a similar vision, and I think Lakewood is ripe for such a consortium in that it is home to a large artist population and has a rich history with the creative class.
Q: What made you decide to enroll at the Mandel Center and how do you hope your education in Nonprofit Management will help you in the future?
A: After I graduated from Oberlin I held a part-time internship under Paul Cox in the musical Arts Department of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It was probably at that time that I developed an appreciation for the administrative or curatorial side of the performing arts. I had been somewhat involved in programming concerts and managing performing artists, but not at an institutional level. Paul Cox (now pursuing his Ph.D. in music history at Case) recommended pursuing a MNO, and specifically recommended the Mandel Center program.
I had previously held the naïve opinion that going into arts management would require me to compromise my professional playing goals. I sort of held an "all or nothing" opinion toward being a working musician that fortunately has relaxed in recent years. By working with Paul Cox, Karel Paukert and Michael McKay, I saw how their lives and careers were rich with performing and composing, while still holding high-profile arts administrative jobs.
Q: Have you had to put performing music on the backburner while you pursue your master's studies?
A: Not at all - ironically, this has been the busiest year of my life as a performer. Over the past two and a half years I have averaged well over 120 performances per year, recorded and released two albums, and managed two full-time bands. While this type of hectic performing schedule was not at all an anomaly at Oberlin Conservatory, maintaining the same lifestyle while at the Mandel Center has taken some adjustment, not to mention a steady intake of espresso-based beverages from the coffeehouse!
Q: How can people get in touch with you or find out details about upcoming performances?
A: Our website is www.up-ensemble.com
People can purcahse CDs through us at shows, by contacting mcharboneau@core.com, or even visiting Algebra Teahouse in Little Italy.
Band members Beau Lisy (left), Matthew Charboneau (center), and Chris Burge (right)
