A native of Franklin, MA, Matt Dao has been playing the trumpet since age nine. Dao attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he received his bachelor's degree in trumpet performance, as well as music education, graduating cum laude in February 2022. As an active freelance musician, he can be found performing in a variety of ensembles and venues in Massachusetts, as well as Rhode Island. As an educator, Mr. Dao has taught a wide range of trumpet students from beginners to adults, as well as teaching in the Franklin, Hopkinton, and Shrewsbury Public Schools (MA). Matt has performed with many ensembles such as the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra when he was part of the Rhode Island Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as in numerous famous venues such as Mechanics Hall (Worcester, MA) and Symphony Hall in Boston. His principal teachers include Benjamin Wright (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Eric Berlin (Albany Symphony Orchestra), Joseph Foley (Rhode Island Philharmonic), Bruce Hall, and Kevin Donegan. In the fall of 2022, Matt Dao will continue his training at the Boston Conservatory, pursuing a Masters of Music in Trumpet Performance.