Matt's Blog

Why Team Everyone?

Go team!

I created Team Everyone because almost losing my life has a way of clarifying what matters.  Obviously Health and Family matter the most, next for me is simply being in a creative flow and to be growing musically, spiritually and intellectually.  We are creating a new chapter here in Portland and I want to invite you into the process as we explore the edges of improvisation, songwriting and sharing of great ideas. Everyone Orchestra has always been proof of that — put the right people in a room, trust each other, and something extraordinary happens that none of us could have made alone. Team Everyone is my way of inviting you to support these endeavors and   also a home to celebrate the musical archives of Everyone Orchestra,  and the community that makes it all possible. But it's also something bigger — a reminder that across all our differences, we are one team of humans figuring this out together. That's worth building toward. That's why I'm here.

Leadership Lessons from the Edge of Improvisation 

I met Ingrid on Jam Cruise a few years back. After an Everyone Orchestra set, she approached me and asked if I’d be willing to have a conversation about the EO concept. She works in leadership training in Australia and had what she described as an epiphany during the set — something about the way the conducting unfolded and what she was witnessing on stage.

She and a few of her colleagues interviewed me several times and eventually wrote a paper titled “Leadership Lessons from the Edge of Improvisation.” It was a fun and educational process. Our conversations pushed me to articulate things I normally just do instinctively.

As I step more fully into teaching my conducting style, I’ve been thinking about something she reflected back to me: Everyone Orchestra is essentially a live teamwork exercise. If things go well, the team doesn’t just function — it evolves. The listening deepens. The trust increases. The risks get bigger.

This past weekend at Ardmore, I felt that clearly. Over two nights, the musicians settled deeper and deeper into their roles. The relationships on stage blossomed in real time. That blossoming — the unfolding of connection through sound — may actually be the hook of Everyone Orchestra.

I hope you enjoy Ingrid’s article. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Matt

https://medium.com/@itomanovits/leadership-lessons-from-the-edge-of-improvisation-659bfc101e9b

 

The start of something. 

Don’t you love new beginnings? Fresh starts? I do.

This is definitely one for me.

After knocking on heaven’s door last year, I’m feeling all systems go—powered by deep gratitude for another chance to live, create, and dream again. I’m not going to waste a minute. So… let’s make music. Lots of it. There’s so much to do.

I’m learning how to share my musical life adventure in a new way. Conducting, drumming, producing, songwriting, circle singing, hosting international events—these are just a few of the avenues I’ll be exploring. I’m deeply drawn to making music rooted in friendship—real communion through sound. 

I’m especially excited to host collaborations of all kinds at our new studio in Portland, Oregon.

This site will be the home for sharing the production processes behind all of these projects, Everyone Orchestra archives and more.

In true Everyone Orchestra fashion, this is a blank slate.

One, two, three, four—let’s go.