MUSE • Musicians United for Social Equity

Biography

Matthew Jaimes (he/they) is a Chinese-Mexican, genderqueer musician, educator, and arranger in the Greater-New York area. They perform regularly in orchestras, chamber ensembles, pit orchestras, recording studios, and contemporary music ensembles. Known for his versatility, Matthew plays regularly with groups such as the Albany Symphony, New England Symphonic Ensemble, Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Regina Opera Company, Bergen Symphony Orchestra, Staten Island Philharmonic, and more.

In addition to their large ensemble performances, Matthew is an active chamber musician.They are a founding member of Quartado (horn quartet), Caught in a Snare (mixed quartet), and most recently an all LGBTQIA+ horn collective. Matthew performs regularly with each ensemble in concert, educational, and casual settings as well as arranging music for these ensembles. Through each ensemble, they perform a wide range of music such as contemporary (including several world premieres), pop, jazz, and soundtrack.

Outside of performing and teaching, Matthew loves baking deserts and pastries, playing with his two cats, Grey and Boba, and playing video games. They can often be found taking walks in Inwood’s Fort Tryon Park and drinking coffee at their local coffee shop, Kuro Kirin. An advocate for equality and equity, Matthew can also be found supporting local, grass-roots organizations such as Sound Off: Music for Bail and Protestra.

A native of Los Angeles, Matthew received began his formal studies at the Colburn School Pre-college under the instruction of Dr. Annie Bosler. He received his Bachelor’s of Music in Horn Performance from the Manhattan School of Music with Javier Gandara (Metropolitan Opera, 3rd Horn) where he was also selected as a winner of the Fuchs Chamber Music Competition. Additionally, they have studied with world-renowned artists such as Eric Ralske (Metropolitan Opera, Principal Horn), Andrew Bain (Los Angeles Philharmonic, Principal Horn), Dylan Hart (LA studio musician), and Richard Deane (New York Philharmonic, Acting Principal Horn).