Innovative, research-backed technology for music education, access and enjoyment.
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The Future of Music Education
Thousands of young people pick up a violin for the first time each year. The creative, cognitive, and social benefits are clear. How can we extend, amplify, and deepen their engagement using contemporary learning materials and new technology?
Featured in Electronic Sound Magazine
“The Active Shoulder Rest, the brainchild of polymath Seth Thorn, is an augmented variation of a popular violin accessory. It couples with the acoustic instrument and actuates it through vibration, essentially allowing a violinist to transform their instrument into a synthesiser. It can also be hooked up with DAWs or effects pedals of the musician’s choosing.”
Electronic Sound Magazine | A User’s Guide to the Future
$30,000 Ed Tech Startup Grant
Seth Thorn of Matter Squared LLC (pictured left) was awarded $30,000 of startup funding at the inaugural ASU Fulton Engineering “Lab to Launch” pitch competition hosted at Skysong Innovations in March 2024. The grant comes from three donors: Hool Law Group, Good Work Capital Challenge (Steve Lockard of TPI Composites, pictured center), and Impact AZ. The funds will go toward product commercialization and further development. Tremendous thanks to Justin Mitchell (pictured right) and others for developing and supporting this unique event.
Featured in Thrive Magazine
The Active Shoulder Rest (ASR) by Matter² has garnered significant attention and support at the university level, most notably being featured in ASU's Thrive Magazine. This support not only validates the technological and educational merits of the ASR but also opens up avenues for research collaborations, further development, and integration into music programs nationwide. Such recognition is paving the way for Matter² to lead the future of strings education, where tradition meets technology in harmony.
Seamless Mobile Development with NXP RF Technology
Mobile iOS development utilizing NXP’s proprietary RF connectivity represents a leap forward in creating seamless, interactive experiences for musicians. Our technology ensures low-latency audio transmission, crucial for live performances real-time collaboration, as well as haptic feedback and other sensory experiences that enhance learning and engagement.
Partnerships and Consultants
Matter² is at the forefront of an educational revolution, backed by strategic partnerships with Phoenix-area industry giants such as NXP Semiconductors, Fender, and the Manufacturing Education Alliance at Arizona State University. These collaborations infuse our cutting-edge string education technologies with world-class expertise in semiconductors, design, and advanced manufacturing insights, ensuring our solutions are as innovative as they are effective.
“Matter² aspires to grow and sustain K-12 strings education by offering digital tools, methods, and materials to students and teachers in classical music. We can increase student performance by catalyzing interest through innovative wearable and haptic technologies.”
— Seth Thorn, Founder