Matthew Kimbley, 21, began piano lessons at the age of five in his hometown of Asheville, NC. Matthew studied piano with Dr. John Cobb, internationally acclaimed pianist, until age eleven, at which point he began studies with Dr. Peter Cooper, dean of the School of Music at Southern Adventist University. Over the course of his piano studies, Matthew has performed five solo recitals (with a sixth recital upcoming in February), won numerous competitions, and produced a sacred music album. Matthew first attempted composing music at age six, and he has been passionate about composition ever since. He was the youngest ever winner of the Summer Singers Young Composers International Competition in 2019, and has since composed a wide diversity of solo, chamber, and orchestral works. His works have been performed by the SAU Symphony Orchestra, SAU Wind Symphony, East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra, and numerous soloists and chamber ensembles.

Currently, Matthew is a senior Music Theory/Literature and Piano Performance major at Southern. In addition to his piano and composition ventures, Matthew keeps himself busy as principal violist of the SAU Symphony Orchestra, principal percussionist of the ETSO, and percussionist with the SAU Wind Symphony. In addition to music, he enjoys spending time with friends, photography, hiking/backpacking, and serving others in his community.