Matt Panayides is a musician who is passionate about teaching guitar, performing music, and collaborating with creative musicians. With over 15 years of private teaching experience Matt has developed a unique teaching method that incorporates the individual students’ musical goals into the overall lesson plan.

Matt is currently busy leading and performing with a variety of ensembles throughout the New York area. He can be found playing solo guitar, in a trio, or with his own quintet which he writes and arranges music for. When he is not playing the guitar, he directs his enthusiasm to teaching the guitar to others.

In May 2008 Matt received an MM in jazz guitar performance from William Paterson University where he received the Graduate Music Award for musical and academic excellence over the course of his studies. He graduated from Manhattan School of Music in 2000 with a BM in jazz guitar performance.

Composer and arranger Hyeseon Hong writes many styles of music ranging from jazz and classical to pop and rock. She composes for a multiplicity of musical settings, including big band, vocal ensemble, small jazz group, chamber orchestra and funk/rock band. 

During her 10 years of activity in the New York jazz scene she sharpened her musical skills by writing for a 5 horn original ensemble consisting of some of New York’s finest players including Travis Sullivan, Nick Mancini, Joe Abbatanouano and Bob Sabin. After adding a sixth horn and writing more music the current incarnation of The Hyeseon Hong Ensemble was born. The group currently performs in both New York and Seoul.   In 2005 Hyeseon also formed The Hyeseon Hong Choir, featuring 4 vocalists and a rhythm section. The band quickly began performing in all the best clubs in Seoul including All That Jazz, Club Evans, and Chunyundongando.

While completing her Masters of Music at New York University, Hyeseon studied with Jim McNealy, Ed Newmeister, Maria Schneider, Mike Holliber, Michael Longo and Cliff Korman.