Matthew´s journey.
After achieving his senior music scholarship at the Mitchell Conservatorium in Bathurst, it was time for Matthew to move to Sydney and further his studies in piano and composition at the Institute of Music under Nikolai Sokolov. Transitioning to the piano performance program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music studying under Phillip Shovk, he graduated with honors and the title of best senior piano recital of the year.
Matthew then led a successful teaching career as the Director of Music at PLC Armidale from 2016 to 2021. During this time, he delved for 5 years into composition, studying under Dan Walker.
He has achieved a great deal of published choral works with Orpheus Music, Middle C Music, Singscore and most recently have been invited to join the Wirrapang community of Australian composers.
Matthew's journey led him to claim two runner-up awards in the dazzling halls of the Golden Key International Piano Competition and the prestigious National Orpheus Music Competition.
Enrolling in the University of Queensland, he was driven to specialize in composition under the expert guidance of Robert Davidson. The years 2021 and 2022 became a crescendo of creativity, and culminating in a graduation adorned with a prestigious High Distinction. This chapter of his musical tale was not just an academic pursuit; it was a time of fulfillment, aligned with Mathew´s love for creating and sharing music.
Alongside his wife Li Ling Chen, oboist and pianist, and their three children, he found a peaceful place on their cattle property in North West NSW where nature seamlessly intertwines with his compositions, and the timeless beauty of the land continues to inspire his music.
