Matt Hartwell is currently the Visual Caption Head for The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He is also the Visual Caption Head for Pulse Percussion, an Independent world-class WGI drumline. Matt previously taught The Santa Clara Vanguard from 2010-2021, serving as the Visual Caption Manager from 2017-2021. In 2022, Matt was on the visual staff with both The Blue Devils and The Bluecoats. In 2010, he had the extreme honor of designing a production for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said’s Royal Guard of Oman Marching Band. He was hand-selected to design the program for His Majesty’s 40th year in power celebration and a private dinner performance for His Majesty and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England. Between 2014-2017 Matt was one of the Show Directors for a Drum Corps-style stage show called "Mix It Up" at Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, VA. Matt has also designed many successful programs for high schools, middle schools, and non-profits throughout the country. Creating a product that is exciting for both performers and audience members is something that drives Matt to design a memorable and effective production.

Matt Hartwell is a graduate of Salem High School in Salem, VA. While attending Morehead State University in Morehead, KY he was a member of the Marching Band and studied Euphonium under Dr. Stacey Baker. 2004 welcomed Matt’s first summer of Drum Corps as a Baritone member of The Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Columbus, OH.  He then marched with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle corps from Rosemont, IL, playing the Baritone in 2005 and 2006 (Winning a DCI World Championship), and performed on Tuba in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, Matt had the privilege to perform on the Tuba with The Aimachi Marching Band from Nagoya, Japan. 

His holistic approach to the entire design process and great communication skills will ensure that the early stages of crafting your custom production will be smooth and efficient for all involved. Whether you’re looking for overall program coordinating, or effective drill design, Matt is able to craft a design that is perfect for your programs specific needs. Matt has had the pleasure to learn from some of the best in the activity, and he is excited to pass along many valuable lessons learned to create effective, memorable, and easy to clean show designs.