Lieutenant Matt Anderson, a native of Lilburn, Georgia, enlisted in the Navy in 2004 and attended recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon graduation from the Naval School of Music in 2005, he was awarded the navy musician designation.
First assigned as a trombone instrumentalist with the U.S. 7th Fleet Band in Yokosuka, Japan, he deployed throughout the indo-pacific region and earned his enlisted surface warfare specialist designation in 2006 while embarked aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Subsequent tours at Navy Band Great Lakes (Great Lakes, IL) and Navy Band Mid-South (Millington, TN) included assignments as ceremonial conductor, drum major, operations coordinator, and leading petty officer. Anderson was selected for commission while serving as auditions coordinator for navy music at Fleet Band Activities in Millington, Tennessee.
Commissioned as a limited duty officer bandmaster in 2016, his first assignment was assistant director for the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, stationed in Naples, Italy. In 2019 he reported to the U.S. Navy Band in Washington D.C. as department head for staff and specialty groups. Returning to Yokosuka, Japan in 2021, Anderson currently serves as fleet bandmaster for U.S. 7th Fleet.
Anderson holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University. His military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Good Conduct Medal (four awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various unit and service awards.