American pianist Matthew McCright has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as piano soloist and chamber musician. He has thrilled audiences and critics alike with an imaginative repertoire that spans both the traditional and a wide range of contemporary works. He has premiered numerous new pieces, many written for him, and has collaborated with such composers as Pauline Oliveros, Terry Riley, Augusta Read Thomas, Paul Dresher, Michael Gordon, Mary Ellen Childs, Julia Wolfe, Evan Ziporyn, Mark Anthony Turnage, Kirsten Broberg, Kamran Ince, Alvin Lucier, and Judith Lang Zaimont among many others.

McCright currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a member of the piano faculty of Carleton College while maintaining an active freelance schedule as one of the most sought after pianists in contemporary music. Recent projects include the 2009 CD release of Second Childhood on innova Records and an upcoming disc of the piano works of Minnesota composer Gene Gutchë on Centaur Records. He is curator of the Open Doors music series, partnering performing artists with charitable causes and is housed at Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Parish, where he is pianist-in-residence for the series. He created The Composer’s Project, a nationwide program featuring emerging composers.

He has been featured in articles in the NewMusicBox magazine, Tutti magazine, and Voice. He has performed on the Music in a Great Space series (Pittsburgh), Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Engine 408: Music of our Time series, Young Artist Showcase (Thiel and Westminster Colleges), Schubert Club, as well as programs for the American Composers Forum. The recipient of numerous awards, grants, and prizes, McCright’s festival participation includes Bang on a Can at MassMOCA, Printing House Festival of New Music (Dublin), Late Music Festival (UK), Hampden-Sydney Chamber Music Festival, Kodály Institute, Perilous Night, Fringe, Spark Festival of Electronic Music, Seward Arts, Duquesne University’s Summer Music Institute, Music 2000, CCM Village Opening, Minnesota Composers Alliance, and was accepted to the Chautauqua Music Institute. A member Mu Phi Epsilon, American Music Center, American Composers Forum and Chamber Music America, he has performed in collaboration with a variety of ensembles including RenegadeEnsemble, dal niente, Wild and Wulliman, La Bonne Chanson, Gypsy Hocket, Zeitgeist, Taipei Trio, Tempus Fugit, New Sound, New Century Piano Duo, Dixie Five, Composer’s Ensemble, Westminster Triptych, WC Jazz Ensemble, and with countless chamber music groups.

McCright completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Minnesota, under the tutelage of Lydia Artymiw. In addition to private study in New York City with Lisa Moore, he also holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati studying with Richard Morris and earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance, Magna Cum Laude, from Westminster College with Nancy Zipay DeSalvo. He has coached with some of the world’s leading artists such as Jorja Fleezanis, Burt Hara, Ronald Feldman, Anne Epperson, Sandra Rivers, Amernet Quartet, Pridonoff Duo, Daniel Shapiro, James Tocco, Joanne Polk, and Jeremy Denk.

"I was deeply impressed by the virtuosity and musicality of his playing."

-John Walker,
former curator,
Young Artist Concert Series,
March 1997

Featured guest at the Printing House Festival in Dublin to premiere Garrett Sholdice’s hour-long etude for solo piano

Second Childhood released May 2009 on innova records