ENCINITAS — Jason Matkin, a 16-year-old vocalist from Encinitas, was chosen as one of only six teenaged finalists of a nationwide songwriter search hosted by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute’s online community for young musicians, Musical Exchange. He will perform in South Africa at the Casterbridge Music Development Academy’s Route 40 Music Festival in December.In partnership with the California-based Rock School Scholarship Fund and the Casterbridge Music Development Academy in White River, South Africa, the institute selected the gifted, young musicians, chosen by a panel including Dave Matthews, Wayne Kramer (MC5), Vicki Peterson (The Bangles), and South African singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela. They will all embark on a weeklong trip to South Africa to collaborate with young musicians at the Casterbridge Music Development Academy and perform at the CDMA Route 40 Music Festival this December.
Videos of the six young musicians can now be viewed online at Carnegie Hall’s Musical Exchange.
Prior to the South African trip, the six finalists will take part in an online songwriting project, a series of weekly activities designed to spark students’ creativity and collaboration, while giving them specific skills will help them develop as songwriters.
Visit carnegiehall.org/education for more information.
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