Matthew became aware of the importance of clear articulation when his one of his three brothers was born deaf. (His brother learnt to speak by lip-reading.) Matthew studied French at university and fell into TV when he saw a ‘Wanted’ advert for a BBC Travel Show hitch-hiker. After two decades of presenting and professional speaking (and bringing up two sons alone), he did an MA in Voice Studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
There he met RSC Voice Director, Cicely Berry, who invited him to her home for masterclasses. (At the time, Matthew was running the Fathers Workshop in HMP Wormwood Scrubs and Cicely invited him to share her great experience of teaching Shakespeare in prisons.)
Matthew practises a voice-coaching approach which boils down to the belief that everyone has a free voice but habits, from cultural, physical and psychological influences, sometimes conspire to conceal it.
So, Matthew encourages people to free their true voice.
He works with groups and individuals – with clients ranging from ex-prisoners to business people (for whom his workshops can serve as communication and team-building exercises) to school pupils – as well as individuals who, over the years, have ranged from children, to lawyers and company directors, to a concert pianist.
He is based in London but travels nationwide. His voice sessions are fun, educational and life-enhancing.
More info: post@matthewcollins.co.uk