Matthew Jones

He graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Distinction) and Graduate Diploma of Music (Performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University studying with Richard Dedecius.

In high school he was a student of Gwyn Roberts and also studied with Gary Williams. As a student he was Principal Cello of the Queensland Youth Symphony and a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Camerata of St Johns.

His involvement with QYO led to many brilliant opportunities and experiences including touring with QYS to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Canada and the USA and performing as soloist with the Orchestra.

He was accepted as an Australian competitor in the Adam Foundation International Cello Competition in Christchurch, New Zealand and was a National Finalist in the Robert Stolz/Apex Australia Competition to the Vienna Conservatory and won many string prizes, awards and bursaries at the Queensland Conservatorium, also appearing as soloist with the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra.

Upon graduating, he continued his work as a casual cellist with Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. He also appeared with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and later was a contract player with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. His wife Donna is a violinist and their two children play violin and cello as well, so their two corgis Finnigan and Tessa enjoy a musical household!

He plays a cello by Brisbane-based German maker Helge Grawert of 1998.