Biography

Matthew birch has been playing guitar since the age of 12 and started out as a self taught guitarist. after 2 years he began taking classes in classical guitar with Andrew Osborne until, at the age of 17, Matthew decided to study Jazz and popular music at Bournemouth university. After receiving both his A-level and BTEC in creative music, Matthew quickly became the resident guitar teacher at Bournemouth University and Wey Valley School, during which time Matthew grew a fascination with flamenco.
Later, Matthew decided to continue his studies and began a degree in music performance at Dartington College of Arts, however his studies at Dartington were cut short by the opportunity to study flamenco guitar with Paco Pena at the Rotterdam Conservatorium.

Matthew has now been studying with Paco Pena for four years and in that time has performed in Spain, Holland, Germany, Belgium and England, working in instrumental ensembles, accompanying dancers and singers such as David Pino, Antonio Campos and Pedro Obregon.
As well as performing, Matthew has taken classes with many influential musicians such as Chicuelo, Moraito Chico, Diego del Morao, Diego Amador, Miguel Angel Cortes, Paco Serrano and Alfredo Lagos.

Although matthew is highly specialized in the art of flamenco, he never stopped studying jazz and western harmony and has a keen understanding of its application in a variety of musical styles.