While still a young professional, violist MATTHEW DANE enjoys a career that draws on his already wide background both in teaching and in performance as chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral player. Currently based in Norman, Oklahoma, he serves as Assistant Professor of Viola at the University of Oklahoma, Principal Violist of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra , and as a member of Quartet Oklahoma.

As a chamber musician, Dane has appeared as a guest with the Colorado Quartet, the Dorian Wind Quintet, Houston-based CONTEXT, Athelas Ensemble (Denmark), and the Fischer Duo, among others. Recent chamber performances include the Musicorda Festival (Massachusetts), Portland Chamber Music Festival (Maine), and LA County Museum's Sundays Live Series. He has performed several recitals in his native New England as a member of the Harpswell Trio, with his wife Christina Jennings, flute and harpist June Han. Before moving to Oklahoma, Dane held orchestral positions with the Houston Ballet Orchestra, Hannover State Opera (Germany), and Springfield Symphony (Massachusetts), in addition to three seasons at the Tanglewood Music Center. Teaching has long been a passion: he was a teaching assistant at both the Shepherd School and Amherst College. He has also enjoyed coaching chamber music and individual teaching at several summer festivals, including Greenwood Music Camp and the Texas Music Festival.

Dr. Dane graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College, receiving a further degree from the Musikhochschule in Hannover, Germany. Principal teachers were Philipp Naegele, Hatto Beyerle, Wayne Brooks, Karen Ritscher, and Martha Katz. In May of 2002, he received his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music.