Matthew Ball

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

Described as “Michigan’s leading boogie-woogie pianist!” by The Farmington Patch, "A boogie-woogie master!" by The Romeo Observer, and “A rising giant in the field!” by Metroland, Matthew Ball is a graduate of Oakland University and The University of Detroit.  He holds degrees in Music, History and Law.  He trained classically at Oakland University with the internationally renown classical pianist Flavio Varani, a graduate of The Paris Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music, who traced his own pedigree of study back to Chopin himself!

Recently featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition as well as Michigan Public Radio’s Ann Delisi's and Rob Reinhart's Essential Music Programs, The Craig Fahle Show and WMUK’s The Art & More Show, Matthew performs classic Ragtime, Boogie-woogie & Blues piano favorites from the Swingin' era of the 20’s 30’s & 40’s, with arrangements of American favorites like Swanee River, Glory of Love, Waltzing Matilda, Over the Rainbow, The Entertainer, In the Mood, Bumble Boogie, Chopsticks Boogie, and so many more. 

Remarkably Ball's start in Jazz only began in 2001! A former attorney, Matthew left the practice after he attended a hometown boogie-woogie festival.  He was so awestruck by the performances he saw that night, he left his career as an attorney to become a blues & boogie-woogie performing artist.  With a lot of time, work, and effort over the next few years Ball would reach a breakthrough in 2005 with a career launching performance at the exclusive Arches Piano Stage in Cincinnati where he shared the stage with some of the same musicians that first inspired him to play back in 2001.   

Today Matthew is known online and on-stage as THE BOOGIE WOOGIE KID with a performance history that spans everything from symphony appearances to Jazz and Blues festivals, and descriptions of his performances as "Awesome!" "Crushing!" and "Fantastic!"

Now with more than a decade in the field along with over 3.5 million YOUTUBE views of past performance footage he has distinguished himself as a leading practitioner of these treasured American art-forms.  

My Musical Education Background

Matthew Ball holds a B.A. in both Music & History with honors from Oakland University, as well as a J.D. from the University of Detroit.  Author of 2 books on piano blues & boogie-woogie, four piano transcriptions, and an active performer, Matthew has maintained a successful teaching studio for almost 25 years.ul teaching studio for almost 25 years. 

Genres and Subjects Taught

Instruction in varied disciplines including ragtime, blues, boogie-woogie, classical, baroque, romantic, modern, theory, arrangement, and ear training. 

Lesson Rates

Online Lessons

One 60 minute lesson = $50 USD
One 45 minute lesson = $40 USD
One 30 minute lesson = $30 USD

Four 30 minute, once-a-week lessons = $100 USD
Four 45 minute, once-a-week lessons = $135 USD

 

Studio Lesson Fees

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A flat monthly tuition of $120 is charged for 
a once-a-week, regularly scheduled half hour session. 

 

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

All ages and levels welcome

My Certifications and Awards

Matthew Ball holds a B.A. in both Music & History with honors from Oakland University, as well as a J.D. from the University of Detroit.  Author of 2 books on piano blues & boogie-woogie and an active performer, he has maintained a successful teaching studio for 22 years.  Matthew offers instruction in varied disciplines including ragtime, blues, boogie-woogie, classical, baroque, romantic, modern, theory, arrangement, and ear training. 

His students have been the recipients of many recognitions but most prominent are those of two pupils receiving university music scholarships--the first with an award of $10,000 in 2002, and another with an award of over $4,000 in 2006.  More recently, Matthew had two additional students win scholarship awards exceeding $800 to attend the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and a graduating pupil named as a 2010 winner of The  Pontiac-Oakland Symphony Young Artist Competition.

In 2011 Matthew began teaching online with Skype, and by 2012 a young blues & boogie-woogie student of his located in Colorado placed 1st in a 'Stars of Tomorrow' contest, which awarded him financial prizes totaling $2,250, an invitation to perform in a local jazz festival, and a performance and interview appearance on both radio and television. He teaches to people around the globe today, including places like Israel, Malaysia, England, Germany, France, and throughout the entire U.S. and Canada.

My Musical Influences

I love all types of music. 

Service Area

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