Mathieu Petit studied first at the Conservatoire national d’Aubervilliers-La Courneuve in the class of Sylvain Wiener, taking First Prizes for double bass and for chamber music, musical analysis, history of music and musical education. He continued his studies at the Paris Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse, graduating in 2005 and studying further with Philippe Noharet. He joined the Orchestre National de Lille in 2004 and in 2006 was appointed principal double bass. Since 2012 he has taught at the Lille École supérieure de musique et de danse.