Matthew Holt currently serves as one of the Orchestra Directors at Durham School of the Arts alongside co-director Joey Walker. He previously served for five years as the Director of Orchestras at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

    Growing up in Dobbs Ferry, New York, about 20 miles north of New York City, Mr. Holt studied cello under Lisa Olson of the Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra and renowned cellist Lila Ainsworth. After participating in the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestra, the White Plains Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, and the New York State School Music Association’s All-State Orchestra, he went on to study music education at Susquehanna University as well as studying cello with cellist Andrew Rammon of the Grammy-nominated Eaken Piano Trio.

    In 2015, Mr. Holt received his bachelor’s degree in music education with a dual focus in Baroque cello performance and in conducting, which he studied under Eric Hinton, Julia Thorn, and Gregory Grabowski. He led the Susquehanna Strings community orchestra for three years along with colleagues, participated in chamber ensembles and early-music ensembles, and was named cover conductor of the Susquehanna University Orchestra in 2015. He also served as musical conductor for Selinsgrove Area High School in 2015, collaborating with the University to bring together the two schools. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in music education through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

    Mr. Holt has conducted in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. Guest appearances and clinician appearances have helped him improve and grow as a young educator. Professional musicians he has invited to work with his students include Associate Conductor Wesley Shultz and Associate Principal Second Violin David Kilbride of the North Carolina Symphony, Scott Laird, Jim Waddelow, Yang Xi, Petia Radneva-Manolova, Lauren Alter, Alice Ju, Casey Spillman, Kevin Giraldi, Rebecca MacLeod, David Michael Wolff, and many others.

    In 2020, Mr. Holt received the North Carolina Symphony Musician's Award to become the Honoree for 2019-2020. The North Carolina Symphony Musicians Award honors emerging music educators with fewer than 10 years of teaching experience. This award is named for the musicians of the North Carolina Symphony in appreciation of their contributions to the children and communities of North Carolina, and in recognition of the fact that each one of the musicians on our stage has been influenced by excellent music teachers.