About
With over twenty years of experience, Matthew teaches students of all ages and abilities. His passion for sharing his professional expertise is at the heart of his teaching philosophy. He takes particular pride in helping adults reconnect with the piano after a long hiatus. Many of his students have gone on to attend prestigious drama schools and music colleges, pursuing successful careers in the music industry or finding personal fulfilment in returning to the piano later in life.
Alongside his teaching career Matthew is regularly engaged as an Organist, holding positions as Director of Music at St Wilfred’s Church, Cantley as well as Organist at Worksop College and Musician in Residence at Ranby House School. His responsibilities take him across the country for services and recitals at many of the major cathedrals. He also plays regularly for a number of choral societies in the region and is the accompanist on the Lighter Side choral course at Sherborne Summer School of Music. Matthew started his formal training as Organ Scholar at Doncaster Minster under the direction of Joseph Sentence, Dr Francis Jackson and Martin How. Matthew continues his professional studies with Gareth Green.
Prior to his career as an Organist, Matthew trained as an Opera Singer at both Birmingham Conservatoire and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Matthew made his professional debut with Glyndebourne in 2011, working with notable directors including Sir David McVicar. What followed was an international career as a freelance singer with companies including Wexford Festival Opera, Buxton Festival Opera, Raymond Gubbay, Bergen National Opera and orchestras such as the CBSO and London Philharmonic.
Notable TV and radio credits include The Office the Opera where Matthew worked closely with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant to recreate the character of David Brent for their 2009 Comic Relief sketch and Lads in their Hundreds, a collection of songs curated by Ian Burnside premiered on In Tune with Sean Rafferty for BBC Radio Three.
Matthew works regularly as a workshop leader with charitable organisations such as VoiceChoice, Streetwise Opera, Singing Squad and Opera North who work in the community and in schools; demonstrating techniques employed in singing and performance which act as a highly effective model for learning and personal development.
Qualifications
Birmingham Conservatoire - BMus Honors Degree in Vocal Studies
Guildhall School of Music and Drama - PGDip Vocal Studies and Advanced Certificate in Opera
ARCO - Royal College of Organists
Matthew holds an up to date DBS certificate.