Matt Withers is a classical guitarist and composer from Australia. He was born in 1983 in Sydney, and grew up in the suburb of Epping. Withers began playing the guitar at the age of 10, and quickly developed a passion for classical music. Withers studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with first-class honors. He then went on to complete a Master of Music degree at the Australian National University in Canberra. Throughout his career, Withers has performed extensively both in Australia and internationally. He has appeared at major festivals such as the Canberra International Music Festival, the Sydney Festival, and the Darwin International Guitar Festival. He has also performed at prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the Wigmore Hall in London. Withers has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and ensembles, including the Australian String Quartet, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. He has also worked with composers such as Ross Edwards, Nigel Westlake, and Elena Kats-Chernin, and has premiered numerous new works for the guitar. In addition to his performing career, Withers is also an active composer and arranger. He has written works for solo guitar, chamber ensembles, and orchestra, and has arranged music by composers such as Bach, Debussy, and Piazzolla for the guitar. Withers has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2005, he was awarded the Australian National University Medal for outstanding academic achievement. He has also been a finalist in the ABC Young Performer of the Year Awards, and has won the Canberra Critics Circle Award for Music. One of Withers' most notable achievements was his 2014 album, "This Time". The album, which was released on the ABC Classics label, features a collection of works by Australian composers, including Ross Edwards, Nigel Westlake, and Peter Sculthorpe. The album received critical acclaim, with Limelight Magazine describing it as "a stunning showcase of Australian guitar music". Withers has also been involved in a number of educational initiatives throughout his career. He has taught at the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and has conducted masterclasses and workshops for guitarists of all levels. In 2016, Withers founded the Canberra Classical Guitar Society, which aims to promote the guitar and its music in the Canberra region. The society has since become a thriving community of guitarists, with regular concerts, workshops, and events. Overall, Matt Withers is a highly accomplished and versatile musician, with a passion for both performing and composing. His dedication to promoting Australian music and supporting the guitar community has made him a respected figure in the classical music world.

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