About Matt
About Matt Ross
Matt Ross is an entrepreneur, author, and media executive with nearly 30 years of experience building businesses that inspire passion and creativity. From rocking New York’s airwaves to scaling global education brands, he’s spent his career blending business savvy with a passion for the arts.
A Journey in Creative Leadership
In September 2012, Matt Ross founded One River School in Englewood, New Jersey, with a mission to “transform art education®”. Today, the company operates a network of 15 schools in six states and has created a proprietary method inspired by contemporary artists like Kara Walker, Katherine Bradford, Eddie Martinez, Mary Heilmann, Shara Hughes, Chris Martin, and many others. Matt plans to grow One River to over 100 locations by 2030, bringing art education to communities nationwide. Learn more at oneriverschool.com.
In 2005, Matt became the CEO of School of Rock and turned a struggling music education startup into a dominant brand. Under his leadership, the company grew from 5 to 55 locations, while securing commitments for another 50 locations. In 2009, he engineered a sale of majority ownership to Sterling Capital and stayed on as an investor and multi-unit franchise operator until its sale to Roark Capital in 2023.
Prior to his career in creative education, Matt led iconic radio stations in New York, including Q104.3, Hot 97, CD 101.9, and Kiss-FM. From 1996 to 2005, he launched his media career in sales and sales management for WCBS-AM and Lite-FM in New York.
Matt holds an MBA in Finance from the Stern School of Business at NYU and is a cum laude graduate in Marketing from SUNY Albany. He is also a former member of the Board of Trustees for Art 21 and the Bergen Performing Arts Center.
Grow or Fold
Matt is the author of Grow or Fold, “Transform Yourself in MidLife & Beyond”, set for release in January 2026. Learn more about Grow or Fold
Giving Back
Matt’s advocacy focuses on two areas: supporting organizations that build communities for adults with autism, such as Reed Autism Services and United Way of Bergen County, and championing artists and arts-based organizations. He has also built a personal collection of contemporary art, featuring over 400 works by more than 100 artists.
Media & Press
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For Press Inquiries
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To Host Matt on Your Podcast
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For Speaking Engagements
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