Mat Stokes is a professional concert pianist and instructor. He has an extensive background in classical performance having engaged in various solo and ensemble productions. Mat loves sharing his passion for music through instructing students of all ages on the piano, violin, and viola and providing collaborative services for soloists and ensembles.

In 2021, Mat was selected as one of four finalists for Utah Valley University’s Student Solo Competition. As a winner of this competition, he performed Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Utah Valley University Symphony Orchestra. In his first international debut in 2022, Mat revisited this concerto, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12, and small chamber music with the Vidin Sinfonietta.

An alumnus of Utah Valley University, Mat graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Honors Baccalaureate degree in Behavioral Science. He also earned a Certificate in Collaborative Piano Performance with an emphasis in instrumental collaborative work under the direction of Dr. Gerta Wiemer. During his undergraduate studies, Mat was admitted as a full-time pianist and student at the International Musician’s Academy in 2022 in Vidin, Bulgaria, under the direction of Dr. Blanka Bednarz from the University of Utah, and Dr. Ovidiu Marinescu from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mat is also a violist and has been selected to perform in highly competitive ensembles. He performed with the Utah All-State Orchestra under the direction of guest conductor, Dr. Anthony Maiello, from George Mason University. He also was selected to perform with the Utah Symphony at their All-Star Youth concert at Abravanel Hall. During his undergraduate studies, Mat led the viola section as principal player of both the Utah Valley University Symphony Orchestra and the Utah Valley University Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Cheung Chau.

“Stokes brought many members of the audience to tears with his incredible ability to play as though the piano were an extension of his own body, similarly engaging young and old with the intricacies of his music.”

– Gentry White, UVU Review