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The festival, taking place from 14 to 22 July, brings together a select group of emerging musicians from more than 25 countries for an intensive programme of performances, masterclasses and coaching with internationally acclaimed artists.
For Mathew, earning a place among this cohort is both a personal milestone and an opportunity to showcase the calibre of musical talent emerging from the Eastern Cape.
"It is a massive honour, but also a responsibility I take seriously. Nelson Mandela University has a vibrant, deeply dedicated Department of Music and Performing Arts, and taking that name to the UK is a chance to showcase the level of artistry and training emerging from South Africa and the Eastern Cape.
"I want to show that our musicians can stand shoulder to shoulder with young artists from anywhere in the world," Mathew said.
Mathew will perform a diverse programme comprising a solo work, a duet and a trio. His repertoire includes Chopin's Ballade No. 3, Schumann's Three Fantasy Pieces for Piano and Clarinet, Op. 73, and Shostakovich's Piano Trio No. 1, highlighting both his solo and collaborative performance skills.
His journey to the festival began with an audition recording of Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5 – a work he had previously performed at one of the lunchtime concerts led by the Department, under the Faculty of Humanities.
Encouraged by his lecturers to audition, Mathew seized the opportunity after refining his performance under the guidance of Kobus Buys.
"I told myself that even if I wasn't accepted, I would at least have tried. Receiving the acceptance email, along with news that I had been awarded a bursary, was incredibly exciting and a real validation of the work I've put in."
But the excitement quickly gave way to preparation.
"Right after that initial high, my mind went straight into gear, thinking about the repertoire and realising just how much work I had ahead of me before getting on the plane."
Preparing for an international festival has meant balancing an intensive practice schedule with completing an original composition and his fourth-year research treatise.
"My preparation has had to be incredibly strategic. I've spent a lot of time studying the scores away from the piano to build a clear mental picture of the music; while making sure I'm physically prepared for the demands of the coaching sessions and performances," he explained.
Mathew says audiences can expect a programme filled with contrast, ranging from the expressive lyricism of the Romantic period to the rhythmic intensity and wit of twentieth-century repertoire.
"I've always been drawn to music because of its ability to communicate emotion. More recently, I've become passionate about chamber music because of the connection it creates between musicians. Performing in an ensemble is like having a live conversation without words, and that's something I find incredibly rewarding."
His love of music was nurtured from an early age in a family with deep musical roots. His late grandfather played in church, one aunt is a retired piano teacher, and another serves as a church organist, with whom Mathew regularly performs.
Head of the Department of Music and Performing Arts, Dr Rudi Bower, said opportunities such as the British Isles Music Festival play an important role in preparing young musicians for international careers.
"Mathew is a diligent and highly focused musician who actively seeks opportunities to challenge himself and grow. International experiences such as these expose students to new influences, allow them to measure themselves against global standards and contribute meaningfully to their artistic development.”
"Furthermore, four of our students have been selected to participate in the upcoming Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, another international forum that brings together performers from across the globe," he added.
Looking beyond the festival, Mathew hopes the experience will strengthen his path as both a solo and collaborative pianist while broadening his artistic perspective.
"I want this experience to solidify my career as a versatile performer. Engaging with different musical traditions and perspectives will give me fresh insights that I can bring back home. Ultimately, I hope to use what I learn to continue raising my own standards and one day contribute to developing the next generation of South African pianists and music educators."