Matt Stavrakas is from Medfield, Massachusetts, and began playing the upright bass at age 15. After participating in the nationwide Essentially Ellington competition at Lincoln Center with the Medfield High School jazz band, Matt knew he wanted to pursue a career in music.

Matt graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 2014, where he studied under Cecil McBee, John McNeil, Dave Holland, and Frank Carlberg, among others. Matt also studied classical technique under Don Palma at NEC, and after graduating from the conservatory continued his studies under Hal Crook. Matt had the privilege of playing with Jerry Bergonzi in the fall of 2014, and has performed regularly with Jerry ever since, including a weekly live stream performance every Wednesday starting in 2020. Matt has performed with other notable musicians including George Garzone, Bob Gullotti, Billy Hart, Kenny Werner, Leo Genevese, and Gilad Hekselmen, and has performed regularly in the Boston scene since 2014.

At The Rivers School, Matt teaches ensembles, private lessons, and the color ear training course.