Conductor

Dr. Matthew Mainella

A passionate, inclusive conductor for community and youth orchestrasPrivate coach for new and emerging conductorsArranger and editor available for hire

Dr. Matthew Mainella stands with his arms confidently crossed, a conductor baton held upside down in one hand. He is wearing all black, casual clothes and smiling broadly at the camera. The light blue-green background perfectly matches his eyes.
Dr. Matthew Mainella stands on a podium in front of an orchestra. His eyes are half-closed and he is smiling as his hands gesture to bring the violins in. A quote by one of his orchestra members is in the foreground.

Meet Matt

"Music can save us."

Dr. Mainella believes that music can facilitate healing, that playing music together and for each other deepens our care for ourselves and our communities.Throughout his varied career, Matt has led professional, college, community, and youth orchestras, wind bands, choirs, and stage productions.He has taught music classes at colleges across the southeast and mountain west. Matt loves working with students of all ages, aspiring musicians, professional musicians, and hobby musicians.

Dr. Matthew Mainella stands in front of a polished wooden rail, hands lifted, with a white baton in one. His mouth is slightly open, and his focus is off to the left as he directs a youth orchestra. Blurred in the background are young orchestra members.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • Doctoral of Music Arts in Instrumental Conducting, University of Utah, 2018

  • Master of Music Performance in Orchestral Conducting, Valdosta State University, 2012

  • Bachelor of Music in Music Theory, University of Connecticut, 2009 (magna cum laude)

Orchestras

  • Artistic Director, Rockbridge Symphony, 2024-present

  • Youth Symphony Conductor, Youth Orchestras of Central Virginia, 2024-present

  • Music Director, Utah Medical Orchestra, 2021-2024

  • Music Director, Evanston Civic Orchestra, 2019-2023

  • Artistic Director & Conductor, Uintah Basin Orchestra & Chorus, 2019-2021

  • Assistant Conductor, Salt Lake Symphony, 2017-2018

  • Principal Conductor, Campus Symphony, University of Utah, 2017-2018

"Matt is a delight to play with! He's funny, supportive, unafraid to sing ANY part, and makes it worth leaving the house when it's cold and dark. He brings out the best in all of us."- violinist, Rockbridge Symphony

Live Performances

Recent Concerts

  • Concert 1 - Name is Linked

  • Concert 2 - Name is Linked

  • Concert 3 - Name is Linked

Podcasts & Public Appearances

From 2020 to 2022, Matt co-hosted a podcast with colleague Dr. Larry Spell called Conductors' Brew. The two discussed classical music in modern times, interviewed a range of musical guests, and geeked out over their latest coffee contraptions.
Listen to Conductors' Brew

Dr. Matthew Mainella stands in front of an orchestra with a pipe organ blurred in the background. He holds a microphone and notepad, and he is smiling as he addresses the audience. He wears casual concert black.
Dr. Matthew Mainella stands behind a wooden lectern with a laptop open in front of him. His hands are spread wide, his face is engaged - he appears to be talking about something he is excited about. The foreground has a quote from his conducting student.

Work With Matt

All Things Music

Dr. Mainella is available for a variety of engagements.He enjoys arranging and editing pieces to fit specific orchestral requirements. Recent compositions and arrangements include a setting of Walt Whitman’s Song of the Open Road for choir and orchestra, a new English arrangement of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” for youth orchestra and chorus, youth orchestra arrangements of Greig’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” the “Jupiter” theme from Holst’s The Planets, and “Sunrise” from Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra.Matt is an active coach for up-and-coming conductors. He offers lessons in person in the Central Virginia region and over Zoom for remote students. He also regularly serves as a guest clinician or adjudicator for special events.

Dr. Matthew Mainella playfully jumps off a ledge in front of an old warehouse door. His arms are wide and his mouth is open in a funny expression, but he's wearing concert blacks and polished shoes, baton in hand.

Contact Matt

What's On Your Mind?

Whether it's coaching, arranging, or a special music project, I'd be happy to hear from you.Please allow 5 business days for a response.

Contact Matt

What's On Your Mind?

Whether it's coaching, arranging, or a special music project, I'd be happy to hear from you.Please allow 5 business days for a response.