He gained a PGCE with Commendation and 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 overseeing 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 the 13 major International Competition Categories it has competed in such as the World Choir Games and the European Choir Games; winning 12 first prizes and 3 Grand Prix titles. In 2026 Barnsley Youth Choir became double World Champions at the 2026 World Choir Games in Helsingborg, and the choir is currently ranked 3rd in the Interkultur World Rankings in its category. The choir was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017 in recognition of the tireless work that volunteers do to run the organisation. Mat 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), 2018 (Pretoria), 2024 (Auckland) and 2026 (Helsingborg) as well as other international events including Canta Al Mar (Barcelona, Spain), Johannes Brahms Competition (Wernigerode, Germany), 5th World Youth Choral Competition (Jeju, South Korea), European Festival for Young People (Neerpelt, Belgium), Hong Kong Inter School Choir Festival (Hong Kong) and the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
He has worked internationally as a course leader, clinician, workshop leader and guest conductor in Spain, France, Russia, South Africa, Singapore, Belgium, South Korea, Norway, Sweden, Malaysia, Germany, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong 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 Blackpool International Choir Competition and has been selected as a lecturer and tutor at International Conductor’s Seminars. Mat has been appointed as Artistic Director for the 2027 World Choir Games in Linz, Austria.
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. In July 2026 he was appointed as one of seven Advisory Members for the World Choir Council. 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 significant development that will provide a centre of excellence for choral singing in the North of England. Mat has experience of working with many different types of choirs and is passionate about supporting choirs of all ages and abilities and organisations. Whilst he is comfortable working in many genres of music and has a sacred Cathedral choral music background, 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.
