Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Camastro.
Hi Matthew, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in San Francisco in a low-income household. My parents sacrificed much to provide piano lessons, which granted me a deep love and appreciation for music and the arts. After much preparation, I studied piano at the collegiate level, earning my Bachelor’s in Classical Performance.
During the end of my undergraduate studies I discovered the Taubman Approach to playing piano, a technique developed to allow pianists to play with ease, comfort, and virtuosity. The approach also serves well in rehabilitating pianists with playing-related injuries. Throughout my Master of Music degree in New York, I studied with Edna Golandsky, the leading authority on the Taubman approach.
In 2022, I moved to Greenville and became a certified instructor of the Taubman approach. Currently, I am the only certified Taubman instructor in the Southeast. Also in 2022, I launched Camastro Piano Studios offering private lessons to students of all ages, in addition to working with injured pianists enabling them to play again.
I continue to run Camastro Studios and perform concerts through the upstate. Getting to work with talented individuals in the the field of music is truly a dream come true.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been an interesting journey! Starting a music studio certainly has some challenges. In moving to a new area, it takes time to find students. When my wife and I first moved to Greenville, I worked between 2-4 jobs six days a week for the first two years before having enough students to teach full time. Whether it be selling pianos or making bagels, you have to do what is necessary make ends meet.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Taubman certified piano instructor. I work with rehabilitating injured pianists to be able to play again. I also use the approach in my “normal” piano students to give them a technique that is sustainable. My goal for all my students is to be able to play until they are 100!
I am most proud of my students. They are a wonderful group of motivated pianists that push me to be the best teacher I can be. My studio includes 1st graders, high schoolers, Juilliard grads, other piano teachers, and everyone in between. It is a privilege to work with them all, and humbling to be trusted with their musical growth.
I think what sets me apart is that I highly personalize each student’s musical experience based on their goals and what would be best for their growth. I am also the only Taubman Instructor in the southeast.
What’s next?
I hope to continue growing my studio and furthering my studies in the Taubman Approach. I continue lessons myself, as I find it is essential to be in the learning process to offer my students the best instruction possible.
On a personal level, my wife and I have enjoyed growing our family. We welcomed our second child this past March!
Pricing:
- $100/hour
- $75/45 min
- $50/30 min
Contact Info:
- Website: https://camastunes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camastunes/reels/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@matthewcamastro
