Matt Pendrak
Guest Conductor, String Camp
Fredonia Summer Music Festival
Matt Pendrak is the Orchestra Director at Amherst Central High School in Amherst, NY where he teaches 100 string students and conducts the Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Operetta Pit Orchestra, and the Amherst Sinfonia. Previously Matt spent nine years as the Orchestra Director at Amherst Middle School. In 2015, the ACHS Sinfonia performed for a “Music in The Parks” Competition and Evaluation Festival at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio where they received 1st place in High School Orchestra Category as well as Overall Grand Champion, and received the first ever 100% in the 26 year history of the festival. Matt also serves as the Facilities Coordinator at Amherst Central High School as well as the ECMEA Jr. High North Orchestra Chair, and in the past has served as the Director of the Summer Scholars Program at Windermere Blvd Elementary School.
Hailing from Ilion, NY, Matt started playing viola at age nine. Upon graduating from Ilion High School in 1997, Matt pursued a Music Education degree from SUNY Fredonia and graduated in 2001 with honors. In 2005, Matt completed his Master’s degree in Education at Indiana Wesleyan University. Matt has conducted several All-County Orchestras throughout New York State including Erie, Oswego and Oneida Counties as well as NYSSMA Area All-State Orchestras. In his free time, Matt likes to spend time with his wonderfully supportive wife, Jen, and their three children, Lily, Ava, and Henry.