About Matt

Matt is a professional drummer/teacher based in Wirral, UK, where he has played drums since his teenage years. He has over 28 years of experience playing the drums and over 24 years of experience teaching. He began playing the drums at 14 years of age. He would rip the section of clothes hangers that you put the trousers on off and use them as drumsticks. (This got him into trouble) After annoying his parents to breaking point, his dad (who didn’t live in the same house as Matt) bought him his first drum kit. (For use at his mum’s house!) Matt took to the drums very quickly and then joined various bands performing in pubs, clubs and venues across the north-west of England.

Matt was self-taught initially, but after leaving high school, he enrolled in Liverpool Community College, where he spent the next two years of his education qualifying in advanced Jazz and commercial music. Whilst there, he learned so much about music and furthered his drumming knowledge under the guidance of his drum tutor Dave Joseph. Dave inspired Matt to look at all different styles of music and taught him about professionalism and the role the drummer should play within a group/band.

After graduating from Liverpool Community College, Matt was accepted into the prestigious drum college Drumtech in London. Whilst there, Matt learned from some of the most respected players and teachers in the industry, including Pete Cater, Paul Elliot, Ralph Salmins (Van Morrison, Robbie Williams), Tom Meadows (Duffy, Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud, Will Young, Leona Lewis) Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and Bosco D'Oliveira. (Kate Bush) among others. This was an incredible time for Matt, and it helped develop his all-round playing and sound. Matt has also had lessons with Tony Royster Jnr (Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Joss Stone) Thomas Lang( George Michael, Boyzone)

Since leaving Drumtech (Now BIMM) with a Diploma in Popular Music and a BMus in Popular Music Performance degree, Matt has toured the UK and Europe with various bands performing live to millions of viewers on European TV as well as continuing to develop himself as a player and teaching students drums at his studio.

Teaching

Matt has taught drum lessons since 1999 to students 1 on 1, in small groups, in groups of 30+ and for schools. He has a very relaxed style of teaching whilst keeping it focused and fun. Matt lets the student lead the lesson whenever possible, encouraging students to take the lead in deciding what they learn while offering advice on what would be beneficial for students to look at to help their playing progress.

Experience with children and young people

Matt has vast experience working with children and young people before founding Wirral Music Factory. Matt occupied positions with both Wirral Play Council (children aged 5-14) and Wirral Youth Service (young people aged 14-25), as well as working at Connexions (career guidance for young people) in Liverpool.