Matthew Koperniak

Matthew Koperniak is the Coordinator of Performing Arts for Fulton County Schools, supporting the music education and music therapy faculty who serve 92,000 students in the Metro Atlanta area. He served as Director of Bands at Riverwatch Middle School from 2008-2018, with performances at The Midwest Clinic, National Concert Festival, NBA/CBDNA Southern Division conferences, GMEA In-Service Conference, University of Alabama, University of Georgia, SEUS Clinic at Troy University, and on “Strike Up the Band” on WABE 90.1 (NPR). Under his direction, the Riverwatch Band Program received the Blue Ribbon National Program of Excellence award from the National Band Association and the Sudler Silver Cup from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Previous teaching positions include Norcross High School, Johns Creek High School, and Georgia Southern University, as well as serving as Director of the Classic City Community Band in Athens, GA.

Dr. Koperniak currently serves as President of the Georgia Music Educators Association. Previous service includes Advocacy Task Force Chair (2020), State Band Chair (2017-2019), and State Organizer for Middle School All-State Band (2014-2016), as well as 9th District Treasurer (2010-2015) and Solo & Ensemble Host and Organizer (2010-2018). He has served on the Board of Directors of the National Band Association (2018-2020) and is a frequent adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. He has been published in the Journal of Music Teacher Education and the Music Educators Journal and currently serves as Associate Editor for the music education journal TOPICS (Themes, Opinions, Praxes, Innovations, Curriculum, Strategies). Recent conference presentations include the NAfME national music education research conference, The Midwest Clinic, MayDay Group Colloquium, and the Symposium for LGBTQ Studies & Music Education. He has degrees in music education from Boston University and the University of Georgia, and he is a 2017 recipient of the UGA Alumni Association “40 under 40” award.