Greazy Keyz sat down with Charlotte-based musician, songwriter, and NBCT music educator Matthew Ablan for an intimate in-studio session of Local Music Somewhere.
Matthew performs his song “You & Me” live with just guitar and vocal — a stripped-down look at his heartfelt songwriting. Beyond the music, we’ll dive into his story as a professional performer, longtime Charlotte-Mecklenburg teacher, and host of the Queen City Music Podcast, which has spotlighted dozens of local artists across the region.
Stay tuned for a mix of performance, conversation, and community as we showcase one of Charlotte’s most dedicated musical voices.
More on Matthew Ablan:
Website: matthewablan.com
Podcast: Queen City Music Podcast
Spotify: Listen Here
Local Music Somewhere Live Studio Interview
Key Takeaways
About Me – Matthew Ablan
Matthew Ablan is a professional musician and National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in Charlotte, North Carolina. He began studying the guitar at age 12 with Richard Rabitan in his hometown on Long Island, New York. He received his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Stony Brook where he studied guitar with Jerry Willard and holds a Master’s degree in guitar performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with both John Holmquist and Grammy award winner Jason Vieaux. Additionally, Matthew also holds a Master’s degree in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University.
A devoted teacher, Mr. Ablan has been a music educator for Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools for 2 decades. He is also the former adjunct instructor of classical guitar studies at Allegheny College and has taught guitar at The Fairmount School of Music, The Broadway School of Music and Arts as well as Music & Arts. Matthew is the author/founder of The Guitar Teaching Blog – an award winning monthly blog dedicated to guitar pedagogy and education. Additionally he has been a Guest Lecturer/Clinician at the Guitar Foundation of America Festival & Competition, New Jersey and North Carolina Music Educator State Conferences along with having held clinics for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Music & Arts Stores.
As a performer Mr. Ablan has an eclectic background as he has accompanied Flamenco dancers at the Fairmount Fine Arts Center, been a guitarist for Gabriel’s Horns and is the former music director/guitarist for The Lake Norman Big Band as well as being a featured performer on “Charlotte Today”. Currently, he performs in and around the Charlotte, NC area as both a soloist and with his groups the Matt & John Acoustic Duo, Longleaf and Ten String Theory.
Matthew is also dedicated to promoting the local music scene of Charlotte, NC and in 2017 launched the Queen City Music Podcast. He hosts this monthly podcast which highlights local musicians, artisans, business owners and all those involved in the ever expanding local Charlotte music scene.
**Most recently he has released the EP “You & Me” his first solo recording of original music.
Latest Release
Local Music Somewhere: A Conversation with Matthew Ablan
On this episode of Local Music Somewhere on rBeatz.com, host Greazy Keyz sits down with Charlotte-based multi-instrumentalist, educator, and podcaster Matthew Ablan. Known as both a passionate performer and a national board-certified music teacher, Ablan brings stories that span from his Long Island childhood listening to Led Zeppelin, to his role as a pillar of the Charlotte music scene.
The conversation is a blend of humor, wisdom, and raw musician energy, capped off with a live performance of Ablan’s original song “You and Me.”
From Rock & Roll Roots to Classical Training
Matthew’s journey started with a record player and Black Sabbath. “Drop the needle on Black Sabbath… it was like, what is that?” From there, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple pulled him into guitar, eventually leading him to classical guitar studies at the graduate level. Though he loved the art form, he quickly realized his passion lay more in teaching and performing than pursuing a high-level career in classical guitar. That decision launched him into a decades-long career as a music educator, while still performing and writing music on his own terms.
Teaching the Next Generation of Musicians
Matthew teaches K–5 music in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and has seen firsthand how technology has changed attention spans and learning styles.
“Kids can’t really sit today… they need to be up, moving, and actively engaged.”
He believes in fostering positivity, never letting one harsh comment outweigh encouragement. That approach has shaped hundreds of students over his 20 years of teaching.
A Guitar Collector and Gigging Musician
When asked how many guitars is too many, Matthew laughed: “There’s never enough.” His collection may not rival Metallica’s warehouse, but it’s more than enough to keep him inspired. In addition to teaching, he plays around 90 gigs a year — balancing restaurants, breweries, and venues with his full-time teaching role. For Matthew, every show matters, whether it’s three people at a restaurant or a packed house.
Songwriting and Recording
What started as a solo acoustic project became Matthew’s 2021 EP You and Me, with contributions from local musicians — including Greazy Keyz himself. The record blends Matthew’s storytelling with heartfelt reflections on home, travel, and personal experiences.
The Queen City Music Podcast
Perhaps one of his proudest achievements is launching the Queen City Music Podcast in 2017. What began as an idea for “passive income” quickly grew into a platform highlighting Charlotte’s diverse music scene. Matthew records, edits, and produces every episode himself, featuring local-only artists and venues. He’s not chasing national names — it’s strictly Charlotte. And he’s found one consistent theme among his guests:
“One common thread — everybody’s awesome.”
The podcast continues to grow, recently shifting into long-form, conversational episodes that dig deeper into the lives and artistry of Charlotte musicians.
The Charm of the Oud and Jazz “Mistakes”
Matthew recently picked up the Middle Eastern oud, a fretless, pear-shaped instrument that challenges even seasoned players with its quarter tones. Though still learning, he dreams of bringing it into his performances. As for mistakes on stage, Matthew takes a laid-back, jazz-inspired view: “Hit the wrong note when you’re soloing? Jazz, right? Just get to the right note.”
Live Performance: “You and Me”
The episode wraps with a performance of Matthew’s heartfelt original “You and Me.” The song captures the feeling of leaving home and finding meaning in distance, yet it resonates universally with anyone who’s been away from loved ones.
Quickfire Fun: Charlotte Shout or Checkers Game?
Greazy Keyz asked: would he rather headline Charlotte Shout or have a song blasted at a Checkers hockey game? Matthew didn’t hesitate — “I’ll go for blast my song in a Checkers game.”
Takeaways from the Episode
- Matthew’s musical journey spans rock, classical, education, and songwriting.
- He teaches K–5 in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with a focus on positivity and engagement.
- Plays ~90 gigs a year while balancing a full-time teaching role.
- Released a collaborative EP You and Me in 2021.
- Hosts the Queen City Music Podcast, highlighting only Charlotte-area musicians.
- Collects instruments — especially guitars, bass, mandolin, and now the oud.
- Believes mistakes on stage are just “jazz moments.”
Local Music Somewhere with Greazy Keyz continues to spotlight the incredible talent in Charlotte and beyond, reminding us that local musicians like Matthew Ablan are the heartbeat of the scene.
More Artists and Show Episodes
