Matthew is a versatile Conductor/Musical Director from Belfast, Northern Ireland who has a reputation for his exciting and dynamic approach to his music making. He is currently the Chorus Director of English National Opera, and Musical Director of Cappella Caeciliana, and the London Youth Chamber Choir. Matthew has also conducted ensembles such as Chamber Choir Ireland, Northern Ireland Opera, Opera Collective Ireland/Academy für Alte Musik Berlin, the Ulster Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble. He is comfortable across a wide range of operatic, orchestral, and choral repertoire. He has worked as assistant conductor with ensembles such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Crouch End Festival Chorus, and London Mozart Players.
In the 24/25 season, Matthew will be continuing his work on the conducting staff of English National Opera, with regular appearances and performances including at the BBC Proms. In March 2025 he will be making his debut with the Sonoro Choir, and in August 2025 he will make his debut with the BBC Singers. He returns for projects with the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, including a large-scale multimedia performance of Gavin Bryar’s ‘The Sinking of the Titanic’ at Titanic Belfast in May 2025. He will also return for performances with the Ulster Orchestra and Chamber Choir Ireland.
He is highly adept at working with new music, and in the last season alone premiered over twenty new works with ensembles such as Northern Ireland Opera, Chamber Choir Ireland, the Ulster Orchestra, and the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble. He is also a passionate advocate for music education, having previously conducted the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, Ulster Youth Orchestra (National Youth Orchestra of Northern Ireland), and London Youth Chamber Choir. He also conducts educational concerts and projects for the Ulster Orchestra and Chamber Choir Ireland.
Matthew enjoys collaborations across many musical styles and genres; past collaborations include with Andrea Boccelli, Jamie Cullum, and Stephen Schwartz. Matthew has held young artist positions as a conductor at Northern Ireland Opera, The Sixteen, and Crouch End Festival Chorus, and has studied with illustrious conductors such as Sir Harry Christophers, Jac Van Steen, Toby Purser, and Kenneth Woods.