Matthew Dear

Matthew Dear’s career spans over a decade across musical theatre, cabaret, cruise entertainment, television, and live performance—working as a performer, choreographer, movement director, teacher, and adjudicator.

Trained in Perth, Matthew began his dance journey at All That Jazz in Wanneroo under the mentorship of Fiona Scott. He holds an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Music Theatre) from Principal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Musical Theatre from The Queensland Academy of Excellence, where he received an Academic Award of Excellence.

Career highlights include developing and performing his original cabaret “Matt-aphorically Speaking,” choreographing for “Don’t Call Me Ishmael: The Musical,” and working as Movement Director on “A Coupla Dogs” for Brisbane Festival. He has performed with Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, including shows choreographed by Danny Teeson, and appeared in the landmark production of “Phantom of the Opera” on Sydney Harbour, directed by Simon Phillips.

Matthew trained intensively with Robbert Sturrock from 2020–2023, performing in corporate and nightclub shows including “RUDEBOY: Night Clubbin’.” He toured nationally with MAGIC MEN AUSTRALIA and taught Jazz and Musical Theatre at The Space Dance & Arts Centre in Melbourne, collaborating with Kirsten King and choreographing for “Songs of the Northern River” at the MC Showroom.

He has adjudicated for TFT Sports & Events and currently serves on the judging panel for The Performing Arts Awards Western Australia. He is a Trainee member of the Australian Dance Adjudicators Association and regularly mentors emerging artists through workshops and outreach programs.

In 2024, Matthew completed his CERT IV in Training and Assessment, enabling him to join the faculty of WAAPA’s Diploma of Musical Theatre course under Joe Robinson. In 2025, he will make his film debut as a featured dancer in Bruce Beresford’s “The Travelers,” produced by SONY.

Now based in Perth, Matthew continues to contribute to the performing arts community through teaching, adjudication, and creative development—championing the next generation of performers across Dance, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, and Opera.