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.