About
Matthew is an accomplished orchestral conductor, trumpet player, educator, and artistic director with over 25 years experience in the UK music industry.
He recently relocated to Nairobi and is deeply passionate about working with young musicians and contributing to the city's thriving musical community.
Matthew is an accomplished orchestral conductor, trumpet player, educator, and artistic director with over 25 years experience in the UK music industry.
He recently relocated to Nairobi and is deeply passionate about working with young musicians and contributing to the city's thriving musical community.
A Foundation in Brass & Pedagogy
Matthew’s musical foundation is rooted in trumpet playing. He graduated with a First-Class Honours degree from London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama. There, he studied with some of the UK’s leading classical and jazz players. He also undertook private study in Denmark with Kristian Steenstrup—professor at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus—whose approach was a big influence on Matthew’s own teaching practice.
He has greatly enjoyed over 20 years’ experience tutoring children and adults of all ages and levels, both privately and in schools and community settings. His students have gone on to experience huge success, including achieving high marks in ABRSM and Trinity grade exams, studying at conservatoire, and playing at the highest level with UK professional orchestras. All of Matthew’s students have passed their exams, often achieving distinction.
Artistic Direction & Project Management
Matthew is Artistic Director of East London Music Group (ELMG), an organisation which organises performance and education projects in London. Much of the group’s work has involved commissioning new music about East London’s rich social and political history.
In the last decade ELMG has commissioned several large-scale works and many small ones, often performing them with professional and community musicians together. The group’s current project is a new opera about the 1921 Poplar Rates Rebellion, to be performed in 2028.
Looking Forward in Kenya
In late 2025, Matthew relocated to Nairobi and since then has thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the city’s dynamic music-making scene. He is passionate about collaborating with musicians and institutions in the city to share his expertise, with a long-term vision of supporting Nairobi’s continued growth as a thriving, continental hub for musical excellence and brass education
Training
Master of Performance (Orchestral Conducting), Royal College of Music, London (2018)
First Class Bachelor of Music (Hons) (Classical Trumpet Performance), Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London (2013)
Professional Highlights
Artistic Director: East London Music Group (ELMG)
Conducting: Served as Music Director for 16 different UK ensembles between 2010–2025, including symphony and chamber orchestras, wind orchestras, brass bands, and choirs.
Education: Over 20 years of specialist brass tuition. All students have successfully passed ABRSM/Trinity exams (often with distinction), with alumni successes including conservatoire study and professional orchestra employment.
Project Leadership: Extensive experience managing large-scale commissions and performances with 100+ participants, school and university projects, and community-integrated performances.
