Matt began learning the violin at the age of 10. He was classically taught by Richard Willetts in his home county of Dorset. After 1 year, he won Dorset County Council grants. He was accepted on the spot into The Purcell School of Music, Middlesex. Here, he received further training from the celebrated violin teacher Elspeth Iliff. Matt had a varying taste in music. He was a fan of great improvisers like Stephane Grappelli and Jimi Hendrix, which inspired him. That’s when Matt decided to take a detour from his classical education! After falling in love with Irish Traditional fiddle playing several years later, Matt decided to go and live in Co. Clare, Ireland to better understand about how playing the fiddle worked. Following this Matt then moved to Paris, France in 1995 and shortly afterwards started working as a professional musician there. He toured extensively throughout Europe. He played with a variety of bands for the next 7 years. He made numerous television and radio appearances.

 

He returned to the UK in 2002, met and fell in love with fiddle player and his wife to be, Clare Garrard. Matt now works closely with local organisations in Dorset to bring the violin into schools.

He also performs in over 50 concerts per year, many of which are as a part of high-end ceilidh bands

For current up-to-date info on Matt’s shenanigans please go here