Matthew Farrell is an experienced cello teacher in the Brisbane region and online, with a focus on cello performance, chamber music, and pedagogy. Many of his students have progressed to professional orchestras, chamber ensembles and teaching positions. His experience includes teaching young children through high school age to bachelor and masters levels. A long-standing member of the Queensland Conservatorium sessional string staff (Griffith University from 1989-2022), Matthew Farrell has also taught cello in a number of high schools, Canberra School of Music, University of Southern Queensland and University of Queensland.
As a professional musician Matthew has performed with the Victorian String Quartet, Australian Opera, Sydney Symphony, and as Principal Cello at Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra. A founding member of the contemporary quartet, LOCANA, he has given numerous solo performances with major Australian orchestras including concerti by Barry Conyngham, Elgar, Sullivan, Haydn, Vivaldi, Handel and Saint-Saens, and world premieres of concerti by Kent Farbach and Moya Henderson. Matthew is a director of MBSQ Ltd which runs two major Arts Festivals and three radio stations including 4MBS Classic FM and Silver Memories.
Matthew is a successful executive manager with 12 years experience as Director-Orchestra Management at Queensland Symphony Orchestra and 3 years as CEO of SunPAC Brisbane performing arts and cultural centre.