Matthew Doyle is a well-respected First Nations Artist and Cultural Advisor, known as ‘Uncle Matt’, his role at NIDA is to support First Nations students as they navigate their courses and to share his knowledge in First Nations culture and traditions.
His extensive career experience in the Indigenous Arts communities allows him to counsel from a holistic Indigenous perspective. On an average day at NIDA, Uncle Matt is on campus having a chat with First Nations students from interstate on how they are adjusting to Sydney and campus life, meeting with staff members on First Nations protocols and connecting First Nations students to Indigenous Arts communities. “I’m here to help and advocate on behalf of the First Nations students, and in turn, I hope this will help them to make the most of their time at NIDA.” Matthew added.
“NIDA is incredibly grateful to have Matthew on campus to support our First Nations students and the broader NIDA community, he plays an invaluable role for individuals, influencing the shifts in the learning experience, and providing regular practical and impactful guidance. We would also like to thank our First Nations Principal Patron, The Balnaves Foundation, for their leadership and generosity in contributing towards supporting this role.” Said NIDA CEO Liz Hughes.
Born and raised in Sydney, Matthew is a descendant of the Muruwari People from Northwest NSW. He studied at NAISDA College from 1985-88 and then became a founding member of Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre (AIDT) company.
Matthew has had a celebrated career as a Dancer, Musician, Composer, Songman, Didgeridoo player, Cultural Consultant and Educator with over 35 years’ experience in the Performing Arts across all genres. He has toured extensively in Australia and abroad performing in many countries as both a soloist and a collaborator, including major events such as 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games closing ceremony, the Sydney 2000 opening and closing ceremonies, ABC Millennium broadcast on top of the Sydney Opera House, opened the Indigenous Gallery Musee Du Quay Branly in Paris, World Expo Japan, I am Eora production for the Sydney Festival directed by Wesley Enoch, welcomed the Pope Benedict for World Youth Day and welcomed members of the Royal Family to Sydney. Matthew has also opened the new Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale with Djakapura Munyarryun and William Barton.
He has recorded several CDs of his own music and has co-composed and been Cultural Consultant for Bangarra Dance Theatre. He has also worked with Grandmaster Shakuhachi Player Riley Lee, James Morrison, Colin Offord, TAIKOZ, Legs on the Wall, Sydney and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the ABC for Play School.
For the past 20 years, Matthew has worked in the Indigenous Arts in Education and is a panel member of the Indigenous Advisory Panel for the City of Sydney Council. He currently works with Jannawi Dance Clan, The Gamay Dancers and appeared on The Voice in 2021 with Jessica Mauboy. Matthew also consults for the Sydney Opera House and volunteers to raise Indigenous community awareness of blood diseases for The Leukaemia Foundation.
