Meet Matthew Heil

Matthew recently retired after twenty years of honorable service, singing as a tenor in The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and Chorus. Over the course of his military career, he performed for seven U.S. Presidents from Clinton to Trump, as well as Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Benedict, Vice Presidents Harris, Pence, and Cheney, Speakers of the House Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner, senior leaders of the Armed Forces, foreign diplomats, and thousands of veterans while singing the National Anthem at The Rose Bowl, Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Eagles games in honor of their service and sacrifice.

As Production Manager for The U.S. Army Chorus, Matthew oversaw many of the organization’s most significant events, including The 60^th Anniversary of The U.S. Army Chorus, The 75^th NATO Summit hosted by President Biden, The State Funeral for President Jimmy Carter, The 60^th Presidential Inauguration, the U.S. Army’s 250 Birthday Celebration, and performances at The Kennedy Center and The Music Center at Strathmore.

Matthew grew up singing with his “Mr. Microphone” in South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia, where he later studied voice at Georgia Southern University under Sarah Hancock, Sandra McClain, and choral director Rodney Caldwell, earning his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. He earned his Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Peabody Conservatory under Stanley Cornett. Matthew also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Governors University.

Notable ensembles and festivals Matthew has performed with include the Atlanta Opera Chorus, Wolf Trap Opera Chorus, Seagle Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Savannah Symphony, Cathedral Choral Society, and Handel Choir of Baltimore.

In addition to his musical career, Matthew is a stained-glass artist, who enjoys creating original works ranging from bold sun catchers to vivid full window panels. He also is an avid flower gardener, finding joy in tending a thriving pollinator garden filled with perennials and evergreens. He and his husband Kevin share their lives with two cats who, as they admit, own the house.