Meet Matthew Hodge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Hodge.

Hi Matthew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you so much for interviewing me!

I have always been fascinated with how and why humans tell stories.

Whether it’s on the stage or screen, written down on pages, or told around campfires, we pass down who we are as individuals and communities through our stories.

That’s why I’ve always been drawn to the arts and built a career around music, theatre, and writing – all of my favorite ways of storytelling! That fascination as a young kid transformed into a career that I’m proud of and humbled by.

Now at 36 years old, I am an award-winning composer, musician, professor, and writer. I turned my fascination with the arts into a livelihood.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. Building a career in the arts is challenging and requires an equal amount of passion + patience. I forged my own path with a devotion to hard work and commitment. Don’t get me wrong, I was very privileged to have family, friends, and teachers who always believed in me!

So I never felt “alone” on my journey. But it was always important to me that I worked extremely hard and earned every opportunity that was presented to me. Ever since high school, I’ve always worked (usually 2-3 jobs simultaneously).

I remember the years in my mid-late 20s when I was simultaneously teaching full-time at one university, teaching part-time at two other universities, serving as a weekly church pianist, working consistently with theatre companies two hours away, and finishing my second graduate degree (an M.F.A.).

Those years were absolute chaos: I was teaching college classes all day, driving hours between multiple cities to work all evening, then returning back home to sleep for merely a few hours before doing my M.F.A. homework in the middle of the night (often till sunrise).

It was intense but extremely rewarding! It broke me and strengthened me. All of that work helped me have the confidence and strength to push my way through doors that I didn’t even know existed.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My career is centered around the arts and education. I’m so blessed and grateful to have jobs that I truly love! As a lover of education, I earned three degrees: A B.A., an M.A., and an M.F.A. (all related to the performing arts). I’ve been a professor for nearly 13 years, having taught full-time and part-time at multiple universities and colleges.

In fact, that’s what brought me to Raleigh! I moved here in 2014 to be a full-time music and theatre professor at William Peace University. I’m still at WPU to this day and I love it there! My students are passionate and my colleagues are amazing. I really enjoy teaching at a smaller school. It allows for a more collaborative classroom environment.

Besides teaching, I’m also a professional musician and composer. I’ve written music for film, television, video games, commercials, and theatre. I also perform as a pianist around the triangle area for various music and theatre organizations.

Additionally, I have a passion for writing. I’ve authored several books, chapters, essays, and journal articles, all published by half a dozen international publishers. One of my recent books, “COOL CATS AND A HOT MOUSE: A HISTORY OF JAZZ AND DISNEY” actually became an amazon bestseller and earned several national writing awards. I was shocked and humbled by how well it was received!

A few months ago, I released my newest book “GOTHAM CITY SOUNDS: THE MUSIC OF BAMAN VILLAINS”. It was definitely a labor of love! If you look through my catalog of writing, you’ll notice a trend: I use my educational background to offer readers an entertaining look at fascinating things in pop culture. I write books that the inner nerd fan inside me would have enjoyed reading!

I’m now 36 years old and still have so many things left I want to accomplish. But when I reflect on my life so far, I think what I’m most proud of in my career is staying passionate about the work. I genuinely love being in a classroom with inspiring students, frantically writing on my computer, or just sitting at a piano (even if there’s no audience). These things make me smile and feel alive.

It doesn’t mean they’re at all easy, but it does mean they’re worth it. I’m blessed beyond measure and feel deeply grateful for my life.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I don’t even know how to begin to mention everyone by name who has inspired me throughout my life.

When I think about how my family has shaped me, I think about my mother’s faith, my father’s humor, my sister’s strength, my grandfathers’ work ethic, and my grandmothers’ heart. Additionally, my dearest friends and loved ones have absolutely made me the person I am today.

And finally, the teachers I had all through school taught me to use my brain and my heart to view the world and imagine what my role could be in it. Education is powerful and I’m always striving to inspire my students in the same way that my teachers inspired me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.matthodge.com