Matthew Dunne, director of the 1995 and 1998 Southwest Guitar Festival, has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe in both classical and jazz genres. The San Antonio Express News has called his playing "beautiful,... elegant, and sophisicated..." He received the Master of Music degree from Florida State University, where he studied with Bruce Holzman. Mr. Dunne also attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied with Aaron Shearer, and was a featured soloist in NCSA's prestigious International Music Program. Mr. Dunne is the only guitarist to attend the Banff Centre for Fine Arts on full scholarship in both the classical and jazz festivals, and has performed with jazz greats Don Thompson, Charlie Haden, Gene Bertoncini, and Kenny Wheeler.

A dedicated teacher, Mr. Dunne currently heads the guitar program at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where his students have won numerous awards and competitive teaching positions. He has earned his D.M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in both jazz and classical guitar performance, the only guitarist ever admitted to that degree program. Additionally, Mr. Dunne performs frequently in San Antonio as a recitalist, chamber musician, with orchestra, and jazz musician. His local performances include appearances at practically every university, concert, and jazz venue in the area, including featured recitals in both jazz and classical genres at the Musica San Antonio festival, world premiere performances in both classical and pops series with the San Antonio Symphony, and a featured set at the Jazz's Alive festival. His recent compact disc, Forget the Alamo, has been critically acclaimed and features Mr. Dunne's compositions performed by a jazz quintet.