Matt Krass, resident of New City, NY and a longtime musician in the Rockland community, was accepted into the PJ Library Track at the 2015 Songleader Boot Camp (SLBC) National Conference, the organization announced. This was a highly-competitive process with nearly 80 individuals applying for this grant which will cover registration, transportation and accommodation costs for the conference. Krass will join 35 other individuals representing PJ Library, a national program that provides free Jewish books and music to young families.  The conference will be held from February 15-17 in St. Louis, MO.

Songleader Boot Camp was launched in 2009 by founders Rick Recht, nationally touring artist and educator and Rabbi Brad Horwitz, Director of the Jewish Community Center's Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life. Recht and Horwitz created SLBC to provide immersive, inspirational, and strategic leadership programs for Jewish clergy, educators, and songleaders. Last year, more than 500 participants from across the United States experienced SLBC conferences and leadership training programs.

Krass is widely known in the community as “Matty Roxx.”  He describes himself as a “community musician and funster.” Matt works in education, leads various early childhood music programs, provides private guitar lessons, and is the music leader at various synagogues in New York as well as a sleep away camp in Pennsylvania.  He is a dedicated husband and father of three children.

“We are thrilled that Matt is being recognized for his hard work and dedication and are extremely proud of his achievements here in Rockland.  He is an integral part of our community and is always willing to perform at a local event or party.  Matty Roxx put on an amazing show at our PJ Library Touch-A-Truck event in September,” said Lara Epstein, Director of Community Outreach and Engagement for the Jewish Federation of Rockland County, which encompasses PJ Library.

Find out more about Matty Roxx at mattyroxx.com