He was also a first study violinist and graduated from Leeds University with a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Music after also studying at Colchester Institute. He gained a PGCE with Commendation from Bretton Hall College before embarking on a teaching career. Mat has worked in education for 25 years, working as a Head of Music and Performing Arts, Advanced Skills Teacher, Vice Principal, Head of School, Advisory Teacher and, most recently, as a Regional Director of a Multi-Academy Trust that oversees around 27 Primary and Secondary schools across England. He has been a guest lecturer at colleges and universities and has delivered at national conferences as well as taking part in International Research visits for the UK Government.
Mat is Artistic Director and founder of Barnsley Youth Choir, an organisation founded in 2009 that is a charity and has around 700 members aged 0 – 24 years old from an area of significant deprivation. The choir has been successful in international competitions winning 8 categories and 3 Grand Prix in major competitions such as the World Choir Games and European Choir Games, and was been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017. BYC is currently the highest ranked choir from Great Britain in the Interkultur World Rankings and has developed a strong international reputation for excellence. He also established an adult community choir, Barnsley Singers, that now has around 160 members. Mat has represented Great Britain on the international jury in a number of competitions including the World Choir Games in 2016 (Sochi) and 2018 (Pretoria) and 2024 (Auckland) as well as other international events including Canta Al Mar (Barcelona, Spain), Johannes Brahms Competition (Wernigerode, Germany), 5 th World Youth Choral Competition (Jeju, South Korea), European Festival for Young People (Neerpelt, Belgium) and the International Choir Festival (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
He has worked internationally as a course leader, clinician, workshop leader and guest conductor in Spain, France, Russia, South Africa, Belgium, South Korea, Norway, Sweden, Malaysia, Germany and Ireland as well as engagements throughout the UK. He has also worked virtually, adjudicating and delivering workshops and training in Sri Lanka, Ireland, Indonesia, The Philippines and Finland as well as work in England for organisations such as ABCD, and the National Youth Choir. He is the Artistic Director for the Hull International Choir Competition and has been selected as a lecturer and tutor at the 7 th International Conductor’s Seminar in Wernigerode, Germany.
Mat is a representative for Great Britain on the World Choir Council and was appointed as an Honorary Member of the World Choir Council in 2024 for his service. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Queen in 2020 for his services to young people and music. In 2022 Mat also became an Honorary Freeman of Barnsley in recognition of his work within the local community. He is spearheading the development of the Northern Academy of Vocal Excellence (the NAVE) which is a £4m development that will provide a centre of excellence for choral singing in the North of England, due to open in July 2025. Mat has experience of working with many different types of choirs and is passionate about supporting choirs of all ages and abilities. Whilst he is comfortable working in many genres of music, he has a reputation for arranging and performing high quality popular, gospel and spiritual music and is in demand as a composer and arranger. He is passionate about the use of singing as a mechanism to engage, connect and transform communities.
