Available to hire
Matthew Hartdegen is an internationally recognised composer, professional pianist, and educator who blends strategic leadership, academic excellence, and artistic innovation across his work. He integrates EdTech and growth-mindset approaches with strong pedagogical fundamentals to help learners and colleagues develop critical reasoning, creative confidence, and artistic integrity.
As an active performer around South Africa and an annual premiere composer, Matthew brings a human-centred, inclusive learning philosophy to every environment he leads and teaches. His positive educational psychology foundations and experience across classical, jazz, and contemporary practices enable outstanding musical, academic, and creative outcomes for students, staff, and collaborators.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Quality Assurance Specialist at BeatPulseLabs (Contractor of Spotify©)
January 1, 2026 - PresentManaged an international, multi-cultural team of 250 music analysts. Implemented company-wide excellence standards to check, revise, and verify analysts’ work to ensure corporate success. Fostered a growth mindset within the online community via Discord, Google Workspace, and social platforms, driving increased engagement and high completion performance across assigned work.
Head of Culture (Director of Culture) at Curro Waterfall
June 1, 2025 - PresentMember of the Senior Management Team tasked with reinspiring, reimagining, and reinventing Curro Waterfall’s culture. Reestablished choirs, marimba groups, and group and individual music lessons; planned Creative Arts for grades 8-9; initiated whole-scale music development and music appreciation classes aligned with CAPS; implemented technologically driven creative solutions to engage learners, parents, and staff in shaping the school’s cultural identity.
Quality Assurance Specialist at BeatPulseLabs (Contractor of Spotify©)
January 1, 2025 - June 1, 2025Managed an international, multi-cultural team of 250 music analysts. Implemented company-wide excellence standards to check, revise, and verify analysts’ work to ensure corporate success. Fostered a growth mindset within the online community via Discord, Google Workspace, and social platforms, driving increased engagement and high completion performance across assigned work.
Part-time Peripatetic Piano and Violoncello Teacher at St David’s Marist Brothers’ College
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Specialised in piano and violoncello; managed multiple students’ growth within an IEB framework and Catholic educational context; built holistic individualised growth.
Head of Culture (Director of Culture) at Curro Waterfall
June 1, 2024 - May 1, 2025Reinspired and redesigned the school culture as part of the Senior Management Team. Re-established choirs, marimba groups, and group and individual music lessons for learners from 18 months to Grade 12. Led Creative Arts for Grades 8–9 and created a strategic plan for a Music subject launch in 2028. Introduced whole-school music appreciation classes aligned with CAPS for the Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase.
Piano and Violoncello Teacher (Peripatetic) at St David’s Marist Brothers’ College, Inanda, Johannesburg
June 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025Specialised in piano and cello performance; managed growth of multiple students within the IEB framework; built strong relationships and fostered individualized growth; emphasised expressive commitment to personal artistry and leadership.
Corporate and Business Training Consultant at GoFluent
May 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024Designed hyper-personalised executive language training and drove hybrid global training programmes; integrated AI-driven assessment tools to enhance stakeholder engagement, performance analytics, and adaptive curriculum refinement.
Part-time Music Teacher and Performing Accompanist at National School of the Arts
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025Curated bespoke performance training focused on technical mastery, artistic fluency, and personal musical identity. Provided professional accompaniment and coaching to prepare students for national competitions with strong results, including best National Mezzo-Soprano for the ABC Motsepe Foundation SASC E competition. Aligned lesson planning with educational visions and curriculum requirements.
Part-time Peripatetic Piano and Violoncello Teacher at St David’s Marist Brothers’ College
January 1, 2024 - August 1, 2024Taught piano and violoncello peripatetically, managing multiple students’ musical growth while meeting Catholic-based educational needs within an IEB curriculum framework. Built strong relationships and supported wholesome, individualised development through lessons and performance preparation.
Homeroom Teacher and Intermediate Phase Head at Royal Canadian School of Cairo
November 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024Implemented global best-practice pedagogical frameworks using the Prince Edward Island/Canadian syllabus, improving student performance by 30–40%. Redesigned interaction strategies to increase student participation by 200% using collaborative and inquiry-driven learning models. Integrated innovative teaching methodologies to support critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong academic curiosity, while maintaining social-emotional learning in a supportive and safe environment.
English and Music Teacher at Kingsmead College
January 1, 2018 - November 1, 2022Taught English and Music within a high-performing private girls’ school environment, ensuring strong academic and artistic outcomes. Developed and implemented a culturally responsive, IEB-centred curriculum integrating linguistic development with creative expression. Guided students through competitive examinations and maintained high IEB alignment and tier-one results.
Music Teacher and Master in Charge of Culture at Bryanston Primary School, Johannesburg
January 1, 2018 - November 1, 2022Revitalised the arts & culture programme, reintroduced Junior and Senior Choirs, Marimba Bands, and personalised tuition; designed interdisciplinary collaborations to foster holistic artistic development.
Part-time Music Teacher and Performing Accompanist at National School of the Arts, Johannesburg
January 1, 2018 - November 1, 2022Curated bespoke performance training, guiding students toward technical mastery, artistic fluency, and personal musical identity; provided professional accompaniment and coaching for national competitions.
English and Music Teacher at St Patrick's Christian Brothers' College, Kimberley
January 1, 2015 - December 1, 2017English and Music instruction; contributed to extra-curricular and performance opportunities; supported high academic and artistic achievement.
Homeroom Teacher at Royal Canadian School of Cairo
January 1, 2015 - December 1, 2017Implemented global best-practice pedagogical frameworks; fostered inquiry-based learning and balanced social-emotional development within a diverse student community.
English and Music Teacher at Kingsmead College, Johannesburg
January 1, 2012 - December 1, 2014Delivered English and Music instruction at a high-performing private school; contributed to academic excellence and artistic growth.
Education
BMus (Honours) Cum Laude with Academic Honorary Colours at Not specified
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Teaching Diploma (Music and Performing Arts) Cum Laude at Not specified
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Music Teacher’s Licentiate (Piano) Cum Laude at Trinity College London
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016Advanced Piano Certificate Cum Laude at Not specified
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Advanced Piano Duet (Chamber) Certificate Cum Laude at Not specified
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026480-Hour Neuro-Integration Methodology at Neurological Education Foundation
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015Grade 8 Violoncello Cum Laude at Trinity College London
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007Grade 8 Piano Cum Laude at Trinity College London
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2006National Senior Certificate (IEB) 4 Distinctions at Not specified
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Teacher Record at Not specified
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Qualifications
120-Hour TEFL Diploma
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026Advanced Piano Certificate, Cum Laude
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026Advanced Piano Duet (Chamber) Certificate, Cum Laude
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026480-Hour Neuro-Integration Methodology
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026BMus (Honours) Magna Cum Laude with Academic Honour
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026Teaching Diploma (Music and Performing Arts), Cum Laude
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026National Senior Certificate (IEB), 4 Distinctions
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026SACE (South African Council of Educators)
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026GoFluent (US) Business and Corporate English Training Certification
January 1, 2024 - January 15, 2026Purple Ruler (UK) Methodology and Pedagogy Certification
January 1, 2024 - January 15, 2026Berlitz Methodology and Pedagogy Certification
January 1, 2024 - January 15, 2026AQA Certification in Anti-Bullying, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Prejudicial Treatment
January 1, 2024 - January 15, 2026120-Hour TEFL Diploma
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026Advanced Piano Certificate, Cum Laude
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026Advanced Piano Duet (Chamber) Certificate, Cum Laude
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026480-Hour Neuro-Integration Methodology
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026BMus (Honours) Magna Cum Laude with Academic Honourary Colours
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026Teaching Diploma (Music and Performing Arts), Cum Laude
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026National Senior Certificate (IEB), 4 Distinctions
January 11, 2030 - March 16, 2026SACE (South African Council for Educators) Certification
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015GoFluent (US) Business and Corporate English Training Certification
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Purple Ruler Methodology and Pedagogy Certification
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Berlitz Methodology and Pedagogy Certification
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024AQA Certification in Anti-Bullying, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Extremism, and Anti-Prejudicial Treatment
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024120-Hour TEFL Diploma
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Advanced Piano Certificate (Cum Laude)
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Advanced Piano Duet (Chamber) Certificate (Cum Laude)
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026480-Hour Neuro-Integration Methodology
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015Music Teacher’s Licentiate (Piano) (Cum Laude)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016Teaching Diploma (Music and Performing Arts) (Cum Laude)
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Grade 8 Violoncello (Cum Laude)
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026Grade 8 Piano (Cum Laude)
January 11, 2030 - August 3, 2026SACE registration (membership current and up to date)
January 1, 2015 - August 3, 2026GoFluent (US) Business and Corporate English Training Certification (Outstanding 4.92/5 rating)
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Purple Ruler (UK) Methodology and Pedagogy Certification
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Berlitz (EU, US, Asia, Middle East) Methodology and Pedagogy Certification
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024AQA Certification in Anti Bullying, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Extremism, and Anti-Prejudicial Treatment
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Teacher Record
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Industry Experience
Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Software & Internet
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
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