Ronda Matson: Bio

The Old Picture Show

Ronda Matson

From the moment she began her study of piano at the age of 10, it never occurred to Ronda to play only what was written. There have always been tunes and words dancing in her head. She received her first guitar at the same age. Her little child’s guitar was a gift of sorts, rescued from a music store window. The sun’s rays had burned a hole in its side. Ronda continued formal classical piano study for 9 years and eventually studied classical guitar with Robert Torres, though on a much improved instrument!

Ronda’s involvement in theatre during high school and college allowed her to expand her experiences beyond roles in musicals and plays to writing, composing and directing for student productions, including a traveling college production she titled, “Love is in the Wings: A Rodgers and Hart Musical Revue.” She served as choreographer for productions such as “Cabaret,” “Anything Goes,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” and “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at the college level.

Graduating with a degree in English from Muhlenberg College, Ronda has continued her interest as a wordsmith since then, writing and performing songs on guitar that reflect her experiences. Adding harmonica in recent years, she enjoys the challenge of playing two instruments at once. She currently studies voice with Shoshana Feinstein. In addition, she has studied violin with Luis Antonio Ibanez and taught herself to play her grandfather’s 1920’s mandolin. Moved from her grandparents’ home and later restored, she performs with it periodically and enjoys sharing its history. There are not enough hours in the day to satisfy Ronda’s interest in stringed instruments. She will undoubtedly explore new ones, but nothing touches her quite like the lovely tones of the acoustic guitar.

On a more personal note, Ronda has been married to Bob Matson since 1981. They have four children-- Erin Leigh, Amanda Rae, Robert Arthur II and John Charles.