Matthew Bottaro began learning the flute with Jennifer Bradstreet and Carolyn Harris, and later went on to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2019. There, he studied under the tutelage of James Kortum and Emma Sholl, graduating in 2022 with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree with First Class Honours. During his time at the SCM, Matthew was bestowed the Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance award in 2020, and was Principal Flute of the SCM’s Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and New Music Ensemble.  

Matthew has been a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestras since 2020, when he first held the position of Principal Flute of the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic. He then went on to join the Sydney Youth Orchestras’ flagship orchestra in 2021, where he was also recently appointed Principal Flute.   

Matthew has always sought out opportunities to broaden his musical horizons. He has attended a number of flute courses, including the Aberystwyth Music Festival in 2021 and The Complete Flute Course in 2022, and has had masterclasses and private lessons with some of the world’s leading flautists, including Adam Walker, Karen Jones, Laura Jellicoe, Simon Channing, Alison Mitchell, and Margaret Crawford.  

Currently, Matthew is studying privately with Joshua Batty. Starting this September, he will be pursuing a Master of Performance degree at the Royal College of Music in London under the tutelage of Gitte Marcusson and Sue Thomas, where he will be generously supported as a Scholar at the RCM.