Dr Matthew Styles

Matt is Senior Lecturer in Saxophone studies, Coordinator of Honours (Music), postgraduate supervisor and musician injury researcher working with sports science specialists at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Current Teaching

• MUS4210 Research Preparation
• MUS4220 Creative Project 1
• MUS4215 Research Project
• MUS 4225 Creative Project 2
• MAP5116 Performing Arts Research Preparation
• MAP6200 Masters Thesis
• ART7200 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Creative Arts
• MUS 1540, 545, 2542, 2544, 3540, 3546, 4621: Woodwind Workshop and Ensemble Studies
• Junior and Senior Concert Practice

Background

Described as “… a convincing soloist…producing a stream of mellifluous sound..”,”.. soaring like some gently sonic meteor…” Matt Styles is one of Australia’s most versatile saxophonists. Equally at home in jazz, classical, funk, and avant-garde genres, Matt is a dynamic performer, composer, arranger, and educator who brings a wealth of experience and artistry to every stage and studio.

Matt has performing across the UK, Asia, and Australia with such artists as Ben Folds, Diana Ross, Dave Weckl, Olivia Newton-John, and The Manhattan Transfer, and has performed at international jazz and classical music festivals in Australian, Rome and Beijing and Singapore. His cross-genre album Home by 11 with Mix’t Trio is released on Tall Poppies Records.

In the classical realm, Matt has over 30 years’ experience performing as principal saxophonist with major orchestras including the Malaysian Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony, Tasmanian and Perth Symphony’s and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra. He has premiered numerous major works including Hidden Love Song by Mark-Anthony Turnage and Three Colombian Scenes by Victoriano Rincon as well as concertos written for him, including Seasons of Life by Glyn and Holly Harrison’s Concerto for Saxophone.

Matt holds a doctorate in performance and pedagogy and recipient of a Churchill Fellowship. He studied at the Royal College of Music, London, and with renowned saxophonists including Bob Berg, Martin Roberston, Dr Kyle Horch, Dr Otis Murphy and Dr Eugene Rousseau.
Currently Senior Lecturer in Saxophone studies at WAAPA, Matt leads the Honours program, supervises postgraduate research, and directs the ‘Phone Co.’. He is committed to injury prevention research for saxophonists bringing together music and sports science, regularly presenting his research internationally.

With over 30 years of teaching experience, Matt is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative artists through workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship.

Professional Associations

• 2012 - present - Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare , member, conference reviewer
• 2015 - present - Performing Arts Medical Association, member
• 2022- present - Western Australian Music, member
• HenriSelmerParis Artist
• D’Addario Artist
• JLV Sound Ambassador

Awards and recognition

National and International awards

• 2004 Churchill Fellowship

Research areas and interests

• Cross-genre pedagogy and performance
• Bridging the divide between classical and jazz for classical musicians
• Creating injury mitigation strategies for saxophonists through a multi-discipline approach with sports science

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Music with Second Class Honours, The University of Western Australia.
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAE40116, Other WA registered training organisation, 2023.
• Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, Edith Cowan University, 2013.
• Doctor of Musical Arts, The University of Western Australia, 2008.

Research Outputs

Research Projects

• Saxology: recasting third stream music for the saxophone , Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher Grant - 2014, 2014 ‑ 2015, $23,560.

Research Student Supervision