Matthew Featherstone’s early studies began in France, where he was taught by Catherine Ferro and Arlette Biget gaining his ‘premier prix’ for flute at the Orléans Conservatoire in 2004.
Returning to England, he pursued his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the undergraduate and postgraduate courses with Philippa Davies, Sarah Newbold and Ian Clarke. He was a fellow the following year. During his studies he was awarded a Worshipful Company of Musicians Busenhart-Morgan-Evans award as well as awards from the MBF, the Countess of Munster Trust, and the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Recently appointed Principal Flute of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Matthew has also appeared as guest principal flute with Britten Sinfonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra.
As a solo recitalist who was awarded the Royal Overseas League Wind Prize in February 2012, Matthew has enjoyed travelling round the UK to perform recitals with pianist Philip Shannon on the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme as well as solo performances in St John Smith Square, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Barbican.
Matthew is a keen chamber musician regularly performing with the Aeolus flute and harp duo, and Trio Anima (flute, harp and viola), which received the Elias Fawcett Award for Outstanding Chamber Ensemble in the 2012 Royal Overseas League Competition and are currently a Live Music Now! ensemble. He has also performed with various ensembles as a chamber musician in the Northern Chords Festival and Edinburgh Festival with the Brodowsky quartet.
Matthew has also taken part in collaborations with dancers, actors and artists as an improviser, and enjoys working with up and coming composers on new works. Alongside his classical training, he’s been lucky enough to work with some fantastic singers and gain experience as a backing vocalist and session singer, and can also be heard beatboxing with the group Shlomo and the Lip Factory.
