why you'll love...
Jennifer Matus
Jen Matus is a dedicated teacher, committed to inspiring dancers to delve deeper into their understanding of their bodies and how they move. She believes the first step in educating others is to educate yourself. After graduating from Towson University with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance, Jen moved to NYC to pursue her dance career. She studied at the Ailey School, Broadway Dance Center, STEPS on Broadway and participated in workshops with Parsons Dance Company and Stephen Petronio. She also performed with a variety of choreographers in the city, most notably as an original member of :pushing progress, a contemporary company under the artistic direction of Calen J. Kurka. During this time, Jen also taught at a variety of studios in the tri-state area, constantly improving her teaching methods by utilizing information from her experiences in the city.
Wanting to know more about the body, Jen went to The Swedish Institute and studied to become a NY State Licensed Massage Therapist. With this new found knowledge, she was able to approach teaching dance in a whole new way. By understanding each muscle in the body and how those muscles work together to execute movement, a dancer can make smarter choices as they tackle new movement, work to strengthen and stretch the body and even deal with injuries. Jen has been teaching anatomy and its applications to dance for the :pushing progress Contemporary Training Program for the last four years, helping dancers better understand how their bodies function.
In addition to her work with the Contemporary Training Program, Jen teaches at studios in Connecticut and New York where she focuses on dancers’ technique and personal voice through movement. She also choreographs a plethora of pieces for competitions and annual recitals. This summer, Jen will be attending the ABT Teacher Training for Pre-Primary to Level III, hoping to earn her ABT Teacher Certification as she continues her pursuit of knowledge to better educate the next generation of dancers.
“Learning anatomy is like putting together a 5000 piece puzzle. You start at the periphery or by piecing together the easier sections first. As those pictures become clearer you are better able to connect the more difficult pieces together. When you have finished you have a beautiful picture. Hopefully, once you have learned and understood the anatomy of the body, you will be able to create an endless array of beautiful pictures with your body.”
What you need to know about me...
I like to travel and see the world. I am fascinated by how other people live and enjoy discovering the beauty of other places. It allows me to appreciate what I have and also realize how I can live without certain things. I love photography and being surrounded by nature as long as I get to return to the comforts of home at the end of the day. I like trying new things and being challenged both mentally and physically. I like puzzles, both jigsaw and crossword, arts and crafts projects and word games.
FACULTY
