Matthew Tyler Giobbi

Based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, The Improvisation Lab is inspired by the ideas of thinkers like John Cage, C. G. Jung, Stephen Nachmanovitch, Noam Sivan, John Mortensen, Keith Jarrett, Maria Montessori, Bill Evans, & Miles Davis, and Gestalt psychology. Learning how to make music from a natural, expressive arts tradition occurred to me when I was a student studying classical composition. I became aware that composers thought about music in a way that seemed different from classical performers. As I was taught piano from a compositional approach, I learned ear training and theory in a very natural way. After conservatory and graduate school in psychology and philosophy, I discovered improvisational jazz, which seemed to be the natural progression for my studies. Later, I became interested in free improvisational techniques, classical improvisation, and expressive arts therapy. 

If you are an older beginner who just didn't find that traditional music lessons were for you, or if you would like your child to learn music from a natural, improvisational compositional approach, give The Improvisation Lab a try.

I am a professional trombonist, pianist, and vocalist. I studied undergraduate trombone with Per Brevig at The Mannes School of Music in NYC. I also studied graduate work at The Royal Conservatory of Brussels, Belgium, with Ivan Meylemans. I have written and recorded many works and have concentrated on jazz and improvisation performance for the past decade. I was a trombonist with Carnegie Hall's New York Youth Symphony for two seasons and served as a trombonist on the Long Island Youth Orchestra's 1995 World Tour. I was the principal trombonist for the Orquesta Filarmonica de Lima, Peru in 1996. I currently perform with several jazz groups and actively record new music. 

I specialize in teaching older adults how to play the piano for pleasure. I also work with trombonists of all ages and levels to prepare for college auditions. I am willing to teach self-motivated and dedicated children beginner piano. I offer musicianship studies for all instruments, including solfeggio, ear training, theory, analysis, and interpretation. I have had several students accepted into college music programs.

If you are an intellectually curious and dedicated student looking for a passionate, enthusiastic, seasoned professional, I can help you realize your potential.