Augustana welcomes jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker as first Artist-in-Residence
Matthew Whitaker, a Juilliard-trained jazz pianist, joined Augustana this fall as its Artist-in-Residence, making history as the first blind School of Music faculty member.
Whitaker is currently teaching music theory and ear training, working with several of Augustana's musical ensembles — including the Augustana Choir, Angelus, VikingKor and the Northlanders Jazz Band — and giving private piano lessons. He primarily plays the piano but also is known for playing the organ, electronic keyboard and drums.
Sophomore Adam Brachman, who has majors in music and media production & entrepreneurship, is one of Whitaker’s piano students. Brachman spoke highly of his instructor, saying that Whitaker is always positive and has his students’ best interests in mind.
“Even when other professors or even you are feeling negative, he is always there to help you and make you feel better,” Brachman said. “Whitaker is a much better musician than pretty much every student in this school — yet he doesn’t feel too intimidating because he’s so kind and respectful.”
Whitaker, whose passion for jazz began as a child, cites jazz legends like Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum and Ray Charles as key musical inspirations.
“Music is just definitely me. You know, it’s totally me, and you know, especially in jazz,” Whitaker said. “I remember when I first started listening to jazz — I was 7 years old, and ever since then, it’s been my favorite genre to play and listen to.”
Whitaker began his formal training at the Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School in New York City, which specializes in teaching music to students with vision loss. It was there, at age five, that he began classical training with Dalia Sakas, director of music studies and a concert pianist, who is still his instructor 19 years later. More recently, Whitaker graduated from Juilliard in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in jazz piano.
In July 2025, Whitaker released “I Wanna Be Heard,” which features him singing and rapping — something that he called “pretty different” but “absolutely amazing.” He also travels all over the country and world playing music and has plans to tour in both Poland and Japan before the end of 2025.
“I don’t let my disability stop me," Whitaker said. “Besides music, which I love to do, I also just love hanging out.”
In addition to making music, Whitaker enjoys skiing, rock climbing, bowling and playing video and audio games.
Matthew Erickson, director of operations and community partnerships for the School of Music, said Whitaker’s impact goes beyond his musical contributions.
“Matthew is obviously a uniquely talented individual, being blind or not,” Erickson said. “There’s a level of humanity that is very awe-inspiring. Matthew is welcoming, Matthew is obviously talented, but the getting to know him on a personal level has been the most rewarding thing.”
Erickson said that Whitaker has been invited to stay at Augustana for one year with an opportunity to extend up to three years when his first year is almost complete.
On Oct. 17, Whitaker and the Augustana Choir, VikingKor and Angelus will perform a gospel-themed concert featuring a choral and organ arrangement by Whitaker. This spring, he will also co-teach a course called The History of Blues, Jazz & Rock with Brian Hanegan, associate professor of music.
