Matt Podd grew up in Newport , Vermont . He began studying piano in the second grade, bass clarinet in fourth grade, and drum set in seventh grade. He continued study on these instruments up through high school, performing in various school-affiliated and extracurricular ensembles. As a bass clarinetist, Matt played in his high school concert band, All-state festival, All-New England festival, and various community bands. He performed as a pianist in the high school jazz band, as a church accompanist, and as an accompanist for local variety shows. In high school, Matt co-founded the jazz combo Precisely Vague with his brother Adam and two other local musicians. Matt played the drums in the combo, which gigged regularly. Precisely Vague recorded three CDs while together.

At Ithaca College Matt started taking courses in jazz piano and formed a jazz combo with colleagues in the music school. He additionally plays piano in the rhythm section of the jazz guitar ensemble. In addition to studying jazz, Matt also studies classical piano with Dr. Deborah Martin, and accompanies several vocalists.

While Matt's primary instrument is piano, Matt is pursuing a degree in music composition. Beginning his composition experience in the seventh grade, mentored by composers with the Vermont MIDI Project, Matt kept composing through high school for concerts sponsored by the Vermont MIDI Project. He also wrote pieces for ensembles in his high school including the jazz band, concert band, and various chamber groups. At Ithaca College he studies concert composition with Dr. Dana Wilson and Sally Lamb. As a composer, Matt has had several pieces played by professional and amateur musicians around the world, including performances in Spain, England, Canada, and the United States. A few influences include Bartok, Ravel, Debussy, and Stravinsky. His focus is mainly in instrumental concert music but he has begun writing commercial music as well, including radio jingles and scores for student films.