Matt Roy of Glen Rock, N.J. is not your typical eighth-grader. For one thing, he’s been a performer since he was eight years old. In fact, he studied at the School of Rock for five years. And, how many 14 year-old’s can you think of that have had the opportunity to perform with Jimmy Gnecco?
Who is Jimmy Gnecco? Check out what the Master, Brett Manning, had to say.
“Jimmy Gnecco is the quintessential rock singer who has few rivals,” Brett said. “He doesn’t care about fame and tour buses and sold out crowds, he cares about writing and delivering a memorable song. Jimmy inspires most rock singers I know to take more chances and explore what can be done rather that what has been done when singing rock. He’s enigmatic and charismatic on stage, yet genuine and personal off stage. Jimmy’s voice can be described as reckless yet refined.”
And get this, Matt Roy has had the pleasure of performing with this quintessential rock singer on several occasions so far, with more likely to come. Now check out what his vocal coach, BMA associate Deborah “Zuke” Smith has to say about Matt.
“Matt is 14 going on 30 with his self confidence,” she said. “He performs because it defines who he is, not simply because he wants to be a performer. When I teach Matt I know I am in the room with the next classic New Jersey rocker. Bruce (Springsteen) and Bon Jovi, move over! Matt is currently recording four of his original songs at Bennett Studios (owned by Tony Bennett) in Englewood, NJ.”
Star In The Making
Now, here’s what Matt had to say about himself when asked to provide the 411.
“I have been playing guitar, singing and performing on stage since I was eight, and during the last 6 months have been writing and recording my own songs,” he said. “I have played lots of cool clubs and with lots of great people while with the School of Rock and on my own. I also love ice hockey and have been playing since I was four years old. I have been playing for the NJ Avalanche for the last seven years and have played all over the east coast and Canada, having faced many world class teams from Sweden, Finland and Russia.”
He also likes golf and baseball, is a Red Sox fan, and loves to play his guitar every day. And, as for career goals, he wants to continue to perform his music and hopes to be thought of as a serious artist when he gets older. We think you’re already way beyond serious now, Matt.
But as his vocal coach, Zuke has found a few things to work on to help Matt power up his potential.
“It’s normal for my younger students to imitate singers rather than focus on finding their own voice, and Matt is still working on this,” Zuke said. “He loves country music; so sometimes he pulls out such a thick southern drawl I can’t understand what he’s saying. His biggest challenge right now is articulating without losing what he feels is his identity. So, we work on articulation with tongue twisters and tip of the tongue exercises.”
Growing Potential
But she’s also seen a great deal of growth in working with him, with lessons on vocal technique and with life lessons in general.
“Matt used to pull his tongue back to create a sound that to his ears was pleasing, but it caused a lot of tension in his voice,” she said. “He was quick to replace that habit with correct tongue placement and his voice just opened up as a result. Overall, his parents are pleased with his progress, and that’s proof enough for me that he is maturing musically and otherwise.”
Matt Roy of Glen Rock, N.J. is not your typical eighth-grader. For one thing, he’s been a performer since he was eight years old. In fact, he studied at the School of Rock for five years. And, how many 14 year-old’s can you think of that have had the opportunity to perform with Jimmy Gnecco?
Who is Jimmy Gnecco? Check out what the Master, Brett Manning, had to say.
“Jimmy Gnecco is the quintessential rock singer who has few rivals,” Brett said. “He doesn’t care about fame and tour buses and sold out crowds, he cares about writing and delivering a memorable song. Jimmy inspires most rock singers I know to take more chances and explore what can be done rather that what has been done when singing rock. He’s enigmatic and charismatic on stage, yet genuine and personal off stage. Jimmy’s voice can be described as reckless yet refined.”
And get this, Matt Roy has had the pleasure of performing with this quintessential rock singer on several occasions so far, with more likely to come. Now check out what his vocal coach, BMA associate Deborah “Zuke” Smith has to say about Matt.
“Matt is 14 going on 30 with his self confidence,” she said. “He performs because it defines who he is, not simply because he wants to be a performer. When I teach Matt I know I am in the room with the next classic New Jersey rocker. Bruce (Springsteen) and Bon Jovi, move over! Matt is currently recording four of his original songs at Bennett Studios (owned by Tony Bennett) in Englewood, NJ.”
