Go BackFrom Summer Camp to Sound Innovation: David Smolover’s Journey from NGW to MatchMySound
Before There Was MatchMySound, There Was NGW
Every story has a starting point. For our CEO, David Smolover, it began with a bold idea: create a summer program where musicians, teenagers, retirees, and everyone in between could dig deep into their craft. That idea became the National Guitar Workshop (NGW), which grew into the largest summer music program of its kind in the U.S. and one of the most respected.
Long before Zoom lessons and digital feedback tools, NGW showed what immersive, student-centered learning could look like. And the same philosophy still fuels MatchMySound today.
A Workshop That Shaped a Generation
Founded in 1984 by David and Barbara Smolover, NGW quickly became more than just a camp. It was a community. At its peak, NGW ran on multiple campuses nationwide, reaching more than 50,000 students over the years.
Students came for guitar but found much more: bass, drums, keyboards, vocals, and a program built on respect, rigor, and joy. Classes stayed small, performances were constant, and the friendships and skills built there often lasted a lifetime.
Legends in the Classroom
One of NGW’s secrets was who you got to learn from. The faculty wasn’t just talented, it was legendary. Imagine walking into a workshop and finding yourself coached by:
- Pat Metheny – jazz visionary and composer behind the Pat Metheny Group.
- Chet Atkins – the architect of the Nashville sound.
- Steve Vai – rock guitar firebrand who honed his chops with Frank Zappa and David Lee Roth.
- John Petrucci – Dream Theater’s technical powerhouse.
- Ron Carter – iconic jazz bassist, part of Miles Davis’s second quintet.
- Leo Kottke – acoustic innovator with a style all his own.
- Joe Satriani – the instrumental rock guitarist who taught half the guitar world.
- Jim Hall – subtle, lyrical jazz guitarist and collaborator with Bill Evans.
- Tommy Emmanuel – fingerstyle master whose solo performances electrify audiences.
- The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet – Grammy-winning ensemble redefining what four guitars can do.
These weren’t just masterclasses. They were mentoring moments that showed students what was possible, and gave them a direct line to the world they dreamed of joining.
Students Who Carried the Torch
The ripple effect of NGW is easy to see in its alumni:
- Trey Anastasio – guitarist and composer, best known as the frontman of Phish.
- Mike Gordon – Phish’s bassist, songwriter, and inventive sound-shaper.
- Kim Perlak – classical guitarist and now Chair of Guitar at Berklee.
Whether they became performers, educators, or creators in other fields, NGW alumni carried forward a deep love of music and the discipline to keep growing.
Lessons That Carried Forward
Running NGW taught David something essential: students thrive when structure meets empowerment. Personalized coaching, constructive feedback, and clear goals created the conditions where musicians lit up.
That insight stayed with him. When it came time to reimagine music learning in the digital age, those same principles guided the creation of MatchMySound.
From Workshop to Platform
MatchMySound looks different from NGW—no summer dorms or cafeteria jam sessions, but the heart is the same.
- NGW gave students direct feedback from mentors; MatchMySound gives today’s students immediate feedback on pitch, rhythm, and timing.
- NGW encouraged independent musicianship; MatchMySound makes it possible every day, on any device.
- NGW supported teachers with curriculum and community; MatchMySound supports them with digital tools to track progress, motivate students, and save time for what matters most, teaching.
It’s not about replacing teachers. It’s about giving them new ways to spark the same growth and joy NGW once did face-to-face.
Explore the Legacy. Experience the Future.
MatchMySound isn’t just software. It’s the continuation of a vision that started in a summer classroom filled with guitars and grew into a platform connecting thousands of students worldwide.
If you’re a teacher who believes in structured, student-focused growth, we’d love to show you what’s possible.