LA GRANDE — A retired Eastern Oregon University faculty member has been recognized for his impacts and contributions to teaching music.

Matthew “Matt” Cooper, former president of the Oregon Music Teachers Association and professor emeritus at Eastern Oregon University, was named a Music Teacher National Association Foundation Fellow during the 2024 annual conference, according to an April 3 press release from MTNA.

“It’s an honor to be nominated,” Cooper told Eastern in 2023. “The foundation raises funds to send award-winning students from the state of Oregon to national events.”

The fellowship recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to teaching music. The award is bestowed when either a peer or group of peers comes forward and makes a $1,500 donation to the fund in an individual’s name, according to the MTNA.

The organization supports students and teachers across the country through commissions of new music, awards for excellent performance, scholarships, study grants and emergency assistance, according to Eastern.

Cooper earned his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, according to the press release. He studied Taubman technique at the Golandsky Institute and Tango in Buenos Aires.

Cooper served as a faculty member for 31 years and received the 2019 Distinguished Teaching Faculty award, the press release stated. He retired in 2019.

He is an active performer and has recorded eight CDs, according to MTNA. Cooper won prizes in Thelonious Monk and Great American Jazz Piano competitions.

During his tenure as president of the Oregon Music Teachers Association Cooper traveled to Khabarovsk, Russia, as part of an exchange program, according to Eastern. He was invited to perform there again in 2002 and 2004.