Dr. Matthew Whitehouse
Observatory Manager
Audience Engagement
Bio
Matthew Whitehouse, DMA, is the Observatory Manager at South Carolina State Museum. At SCSM, he overseas observatory operations, serves as lead observatory educator and facilitates use of the observatory across museum departments. Matthew also leads a statewide distance learning program and assists with presenting planetarium shows. His favorite part of the job is the accessibility of the Boeing Observatory. There are very few observatories where visitors can simply walk in, talk with astronomers and experience a historic telescope in action!
Matthew joined the SCSM team in 2013, a year before the opening of the museum’s Windows to New Worlds expansion. Originally from Columbia, he returned to South Carolina after completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance at The University of Arizona. While in Arizona, Matthew was heavily involved in astronomy outreach, including an astronomy camp for teens, partnerships with K-12 teachers and public programs at Kitt Peak National Observatory. It was in Arizona that Matthew discovered his passion for astronomy education.
As an organist, Matthew enjoys combining music and astronomy in his original compositions and improvisations. He has given presentations linking music and astronomy both locally and internationally. In addition to his work at SCSM, Matthew serves as a supply organist for churches across the Midlands.
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