40 Under 40: Matt Koperniak

The University of Georgia Alumni Association 40 Under 40 Class of 2017, celebrating the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of UGA graduates who are under the age of 40, includes Riverwatch Middle School director of bands Matt Koperniak (BMUS ’02, MMED ’04):

Under his direction since 2008, he has expanded the band program from 130 students to over 600. Prior to his arrival at Riverwatch, he taught at Norcross High School and Jefferson High School. Dr. Koperniak is currently the State Band Chair for the Georgia Music Educators Association. He serves Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia as National Executive Committeeman-at-Large and Chair of the Commission on Standards, and received the national Volunteer of the Year award in 2013. He has been published in Music Educators Journal, International Trombone Association Journal, and Tempo! (New Jersey MEA magazine), and he has presented music education research at the NAfME national research conference, University of Illinois, and Gettysburg College. Dr. Koperniak was the 2012 Teacher of the Year for Riverwatch Middle School, and he was elected to membership in Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity in 2014.

Extraordinary leadership, following his passion as he shares and teaches. Congratulations, Dr. Koperniak (and the parents and families of Suwanee, Georgia), one of the 2017 40 Under 40.