Matvei Chekhtman received his master of music degree in piano performance from Syracuse University, where he was awarded consecutive graduate assistantships in the area of accompanying and ensembles. Mr. Chekhtman joined the Wandering Klezmorim in 2000, which is a versatile group that plays in the Klezmer traditions from Eastern Europe, the Lower East Side, and the Middle East. During the 2002-2003 season, Mr. Chekhtman served as the official pianist for the vocal classes at the Moscow Conservatory in his native Russia. Currently residing in Baden-Würtemberg, Germany, Mr. Chekhtman is free lancing as an accompanist in several opera houses in Germany.