About Me.
Hello, my name is Matthew Sheppard and welcome to my page!
I am an Atlanta Metro-based classical guitarist, and I have been in the North Atlanta area since 2025, when my family and I moved here from Omaha, Nebraska. I have always had a passion for Classical Guitar and have been playing for the better part of two decades, but while residing in Omaha I was able to expand my skills and repertoire astronomically.
I had always known I was a good musician but under the tutelage of Hadley Heavin at the University of Nebraska Omaha, I have developed the confidence and expertise to perform at a very high level, and I had the opportunity to be involved with many performance opportunities in Omaha and Atlanta, including fundraisers, retirement communities, holiday celebrations, memorial services, weddings, art galleries, and recitals both solo and with other fine musicians in both Atlanta and Omaha.
I am looking forward to partnering with you on your Classical Guitar needs, and I'm glad you decided to stop by!
Education
2021-2024
University of Nebraska Omaha
Master of Music in Guitar Performance
While studying I had the opportunity to perform in various venues including UNMC and Gallery 1516, and was also privileged to present at the 2024 Research and Creative Activity Fair, where I won Outstanding in the Graduate Performance category.
2010-2014
Bethlehem Seminary Minneapolis
Master of Divinity
While this degree was not a music degree, there was some very good training I had in thinking through theological issues, and in many ways my faith has shaped my approach to the guitar and my musicality.
2005-2008
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Bachelor of Music Education
Here I had the privilege of honing my skills on the Classical Guitar, and I also was very involved in the music department at UW-RF. I also performed my first full recital here, involving works from Fernando Sor, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Leo Brouwer and other composers.
