Mat gained a music scholarship to QEGS Wakefield and was a choral scholar at Wakefield Cathedral Choir. He has worked in education for over 25 years as a Head of Music and Performing Arts, Advanced Skills Teacher, Vice Principal, Head of School and as a Regional Director of Education for Primary and Secondary Schools.
Mat is the founder and Artistic Director of Barnsley Youth Choir, an organisation that now has over 700 members aged 0-24 years old based in an area of significant deprivation. The choir has developed a strong international reputation winning eight 1st prizes in the European Choir Games and the World Choir Games. BYC was also awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2017 for the work of the 70 strong volunteer team that helps to run the choir. He helped to establish Barnsley Singers, a 160 strong adult community choir and has worked with adult choirs of all abilities. He has close ties with a number of choirs internationally including the choirs at the Kodaly School in Kecskemet, Hungary.
Mat is in demand as an adjudicator and has represented GB on the International Jury in the World Choir Games in Russia, South Africa and New Zealand as well as appointments throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. He is in demand as a course leader, clinician, guest conductor and workshop leader internationally and is the Artistic Director of the Hull and Blackpool International Choir Competitions as well as leading conducting seminars such as the 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 in 2024 for his service. He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for his services to music and young people and was made a Honorary Freeman of Barnsley in recognition for 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. He is passionate about the use of singing as a mechanism to engage, connect and transform communities.
