Matt Gramata has served as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Jazz Studies at West Milford High School since 2010. He is the Director for the West Milford Highlander Marching Band, directs the Symphonic Band, serves as the woodwind specialist and instructor, conducts the pit orchestra, and guides all aspects of the jazz program which includes two big bands.  Matt is a product of the esteemed music program at South Brunswick High School where he was accepted to honor ensembles at the national level. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education from The College of New Jersey and Master’s degree in music education from The University of Florida.  During his tenure at West Milford, Mr. Gramata initiated a jazz program that has placed 2nd in NJAJE State Finals in five consecutive years (2015-19), was selected as a performing ensemble at the NAfME Eastern Division Conference, and placed 1st at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival Class L2.; the marching band has won multiple USBands Championships; the concert band program became an active participant in the NJ State Concert Band Festival and have received gold ratings; a chamber music program and solo recital was instituted, and record number of students have been selected to honor ensembles all the way up to the national level. 

As a saxophonist and woodwind specialist, Matt has appeared throughout the New York/Tri-State area as a featured soloist with concert band and orchestra, in studio recording projects, pit orchestras, and in other freelance capacities.  He credits much of his performance passion, skills, and musical knowledge to the many fantastic teachers he has worked with including John Perillo, Kathleen Mitchell, Lynn Klock, Steve Wilson, Brandon Wright, Nathan Childers, Lenny Pickett, and Chase Baird on saxophone, Kimberly O’Hare on flute, and Joseph D’Auguste on clarinet.  

Mr. Gramata maintains a very competitive private studio where he teaches saxophone, clarinet, and flute students.  His private students have been accepted into honor ensembles up to the national level.  His students who’ve gone on to pursue music at the collegiate level have been accepted to music programs at Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, The University of Miami, Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, Ithaca College, the Hartt School of Music, and many more.