Standing Alone (1999) Standing Alone, Works for Solo Piano, Christian Matjias’ debut CD was originally released under the compositional pseudonym of Phillip Carout in 1999. This fourteen-track collection, richly laden in a calming ambient space, was inspired by a former muse and lover; each piece reflecting personal, intimate memories of this magical woman. Christian’s musical influences at the time......Harold Budd, Brian Eno, Gavin Bryars....come through in Christian’s first collection of works, but are channeled into Christian’s very unique sound and silken tone. Standing Alone became an instant favorite among professionals in the fields of yoga, pilates, meditation, pre-natal conditioning, and those who seek out music where quiet and calm are the overarching emotions. Listeners responded to the healing and calming nature of the music on Standing Alone: “....this music transforms me to another plane of existence, one where I want to be, one that makes me feel and appreciate the great beauty and fragility of life” Other listeners shared..... “....music that yearns to be heard not only by your ears, but by your soul.” “ It is sensuous, soft, and can put one in a most calm and dreamy state of mind” Christian Matjias is one of the leading Dance / Music Specialists in the field, and an Associate Professor of Dance and Music at the University of Michigan. A native of Los Angeles, he attended the University of Southern California, earning degrees in Harpsichord and Early Music Performance, with secondary studies in Conducting. Intending to become a vocal accompanist and opera repetiteur, he instead became one of the most active dance musicians in Southern California prior his 1991 move to Michigan. As both performer and scholar, he is sought out by dancers across fields seeking to collaborate on choreography, technique classes, in addition to consulting on musical matters as relates to the staging of classical ballets. He has worked with, among others, the Balanchine Trust, Balanchine Foundation, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, TUDance, Leopold Dance Group, and has played for Maria Tallchief, Edward Villella, Eliot Feld, Gail Gilbert, and numerous dancers for New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Paul Taylor Dance Company, David Parsons Dance Company, Cullberg Ballet, Jose Limon Dance Company, Jose Greco Dance Company, Boston Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance Company. Christian’s versatility also encompasses the vocal and instrumental repertory. He’s served as repetiteur for productions of La Boheme, Carmina Burana and The Cradle Will Rock, as well as having performed with legendary cult avant-garde musician, Jandek.