Scherzo Ensemble is a professional development platform for emerging artists, primarily classical singers. We deliver high-quality paid performance and training projects for early-career artists, offering them opportunities to develop their experience, understanding, and professional networks. Alongside performance opportunities, Scherzo Ensemble offers coaching and workshops with industry leaders, and classes from experts in programming, marketing, and fundraising. Our programme helps emerging artists develop a diverse range of professional skills and seeks to instill artistic and managerial confidence when setting out to build their careers independently. We believe this focus is necessary to maintain a vibrant cultural sector in times of change. 

Meet Our Team

  • DIRECTOR

    Matthew is the Director of Longhope Opera and Scherzo Ensemble, which he founded in 2015 whilst studying music at King’s College London. He is based in South London and works as a singer, conductor, producer, arranger and composer. During his degree, he was a countertenor Choral Scholar and studied singing with Michael Chance at RAM whilst at the same time seizing every opportunity to conduct and manage music projects within the university.

    Soon after graduating with a 1st in 2017, he founded Lunchbreak Opera which stages accessible and digestible shows in the City of London which fit within the working day, offered for free. Shows have included Suor Angelica, Prima la Musica, Gianni Schicchi and A Dinner Engagement. Matthew works very hard to share his love of classical artforms with new audiences –clearly visible in his work with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra, which he founded in 2018. BCO is an innovative ensemble of young professional instrumentalists based in Lambeth. The Orchestra champions informal classical performance in community spaces, and also engages fully with the diverse musical cultures of Brixton. On the side, Matthew also directs the Trouvere Collective (Medieval troup) and is choirmaster at St Thomas’ Church, Fulham, and The Centre for Young Musicians. Matthew arranges music for all his ensembles and his compositions have been premiered on BBC Television and in Westminster Cathedral. 

  • GENERAL MANAGER

    Grace is the general manager of Scherzo Ensemble. She started working with the charity in May 2024 after over 7 years in the theatre and events industries as a producer, writer, event coordinator and team lead. She has worked in Paris, Madrid, St Moritz, Venice, Amsterdam and Istanbul. Grace is also a qualified accounts assistant and bookkeeper. 

Our Trustees

Fergus Slinger, Cecilia Nutting, Nick Thomas, Tim Jones, Hamish Janson