Matt Withers – Guitar
Matt Withers is an ambassador for Australian music, a well-established pedagogue, performer and mentor for musicians globally.
His career has seen him perform with esteemed artists including William Barton, the Carl Pini Quartet and national orchestras whilst maintaining strong commitments in the leading Australian chamber music groups Guitar Trek alongside Timothy Kain, AM and The Brew Guitar Duo.
Matt has a strong history of performing, recording and commissioning Australian works from distinguished composers and his generational peers. With commercial studio albums released on ABC Classics (Australia) and Soundset Recordings (USA), he thrives on reaching wider audiences, broadening and expanding their musical horizons.
His innovative activities include the creation of the Matt Withers Australian Music Composition Competition which gives an avenue of support for composers to have their music reach the ears and hearts of their audience. Matt has presented lectures in Europe on his passion The Entrepreneurial Guitarist to blossoming artists, eager to also find their niche in the musical world.
Matt has performed across the globe including being featured as a Rising Star at the World Expo in Shanghai (China). He has given showcase performances across Australia, New Zealand and Europe with highlights at embassies, universities, festivals and more. He has been invited as an adjudicator for major competitions including the Melbourne International Guitar Festival (Australia) the Uppsala Guitar Festival (Sweden), the Riverina Conservatorium of Music (Wagga-Wagga) and the Australian National University School of Music (Canberra).
Withers is a mentor for young, emerging musicians as shown through his role as Patron for the Senior Ensemble of SAYGE – the South Australian Youth Guitar Ensemble. He regularly gives Skype lessons and presents masterclasses for tertiary students having mentored around Australia and internationally including New Zealand and Europe.
Performed with MaSO September 10th & 17th 2017