Matt Nakoa '06

November 14, 2014

Before winning a scholarship to Berklee, Matt Nakoa ’06 was a goat farmer in central New York state. In addition to his talent with animals, Nakoa is an accomplished classical pianist who discovered a love of singing and writing songs, and was selected to collaborate with Grammy-winner Kathy Mattea during her residence at Berklee.

Nakoa’s 2014 album A Dozen Other Loves has earned him a place performing alongside folk legends like Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, and Ellis Paul, and recently brought him a win at the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Competition.