Matthew Karatsu

Dr. Karatsu has been playing a brass instrument since the age of 10, and piano for a couple of

years before that. He continued to play and eventually focused on trombone as his primary

instrument all the way through high school.

Matt continued his music education in college and earned a Bachelor of Music in Trombone

Performance from the USC Thornton School of Music. Next, he decided to make a switch to

Bass Trombone and received a Master of Music in Trombone Performance and a Master of

Music in Chamber Music Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music,

Theatre, and Dance. He continued his Bass Trombone studies and earned a Master of Music in

Bass Trombone Performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He culminated his

academic studies by receiving his Doctor of Musical Arts from the USC Thornton School of

Music. His DMA degree fields emphasized Trombone Performance (major field), Music Theory

and Analysis (academic field), Brass Pedagogy - teaching brass (elective field), Instrumental

Conducting (elective field), and Chamber Music Performance.

Since 2008 he has maintained a teaching studio for all brass instruments (Trumpet, Trombone,

Bass Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, French Horn, and Tuba) as well as working for different

schools and youth programs. His large group and ensemble coaching jobs have included Mira

Costa High School Orchestra, Crescenta Valley High School Marching Band, the SFCM outreach

program, the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra, and Idyllwild Arts. His teaching emphasizes

fundamentals as well as keeping touch with the fun aspects that originally brought students to

their instruments. There is a focus on air, buzzing, music theory, and listening. This is achieved

through exercises, etudes, and music both solo and small group. In addition to maintaining a

private studio he also continues to perform in the Southern California region.

Dr. Karatsu’s performance accolades include the National Orchestral Institute Orchestra, the

Los Angeles Doctors Symphony, the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic, the Santa Monica Symphony,

and the Southeast Symphony to name a few. He has also had the privilege of performing at the

Alexandria Bach Festival in Michigan, the Hot Air Music Festival in San Francisco, and the

Detroit Jazz Festival in Michigan.

Matt was a founding member of Murphy’s Law Trombone Quartet who were the Grand Prize

winners of the Texas Christian University Trombone Summit College Quartet Competition.

Murphy’s Law was also an Honorable Mention for the International Trombone Association

Quartet Competition. Matt was also a founding member of the University of Michigan

Trombone Quartet that was also an Honorable Mention for the ITA Quartet Competition.

For more information on Matt Karatsu’s studio availability, please inquire at Ethos Music Academy.