St. Mary's Abbey is delighted welcome Matthew Zabiegala who will serve as Principal Organist and Choir Director at St. Mary’s Abbey. Raised in the Catholic Church, Matthew brings a lifelong devotion to sacred music and a deep reverence for its role in the spiritual life. He has joyfully served communities of faith throughout New Jersey and his home state of Ohio.

Beyond his ministry at the Abbey, Matthew serves as Artistic Director of the New Jersey Chamber Singers and the Concord Singers, and is a member of the faculty at Rutgers University and Wagner College. An active clinician, vocal artist, and collaborative keyboardist, he is committed to cultivating musicians, fostering artistry, expression, and a shared love for music.

Matthew holds degrees from The Ohio State University (B.M.E.) and Rutgers University (M.M.), where he is a Robert E. Mortensen Fellow completing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at Mason Gross School of the Arts.