 Matthew Zachary has been passionate about music since he
began playing the piano at age eleven. Inspired by the likes of Billy Joel,
Bruce Hornsby, Barry Manilow, Chick Corea, Stephen Sondheim and George Gershwin,
he spent long hours practicing and dreamed of one day performing his music for
audiences around the world.
Six months shy of his college graduation, Matthew's faith was tested when he
lost all fine motor coordination in his left hand and was diagnosed with
medulloblastoma, an extremely rare form of pediatric brain cancer usually found
in infants and toddlers. Matthew was 21. Doctors said he might never walk, let
alone perform again.
Fighting for his life, he began writing music in his head. That music eventually
became Scribblings and Every Step of The Way, two critically acclaimed and
award-winning solo piano albums inspired by his experiences postdiagnosis.
Ten years, three albums and scores of concerts later, Matthew struggle to get
busy living has inspired countless thousands. Having beaten the odds, he is now
living the dream he had as a boy; performing his music and sharing his story
with audiences around the world.
Having won several industry awards for his work in the humanities and public
speaking, in 2004, Matthew founded Steps For Living, the country's first
501(c)(3) consumer advocacy group for people affected by cancer.
In addition to his skills as a musician, composer, motivational speaker and
cancer patient advocate, Matthew has 14 years of experience in the
entertainment, advertising, public relations and information technology sectors.
He also has expertise in affinity marketing and cause branding, business
development, public relations, strategic brand planning, consumer and healthcare
marketing communications, interactive/graphic design and information technology.
A native of Brooklyn, NY, Matthew holds an interdisciplinary BA from the State
University of New York at Binghamton in music, theater, computer science and
sociology. He is available for public speaking engagements, concert appearances
and cause-related opportunities throughout the year.
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