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Matthew Prescott, born and raised in Idaho, graduated high school from Interlochen Arts Academy and attended the inaugural year of the Joffrey/New School in New York City. In 2000, he joined the Joffrey Ballet for a number of years before setting out as a freelance artist.
...Read moreMatthew Prescott, born and raised in Idaho, graduated high school from Interlochen Arts Academy and attended the inaugural year of the Joffrey/New School in New York City. In 2000, he joined the Joffrey Ballet for a number of years before setting out as a freelance artist.
Working as a freelancer, Matthew has worked and performed with Donald Byrd's Spectrum Dance Theater, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, Ballet NY, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Amanda Miller, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, The Alabama Ballet, Armitage Gone! Dance, BalletX, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Morphoses the Wheeldon Company, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Matthew was featured in Robert Altman's film, The Company. He has choreographed works performed by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Chamber Dance Project, the Joffrey Ballet School, BalletX, Interlochen Arts Academy, for Misty Copeland for Prince’s Coming to America 2010 Madison Square Garden performances, as well as the Vail International Dance Festival. Matthew was the Resident Choreographer on the national tour of Billy Elliot as well as performing the roll of Older Billy. Matthew made his Broadway debut in the cast of Phantom of the Opera. www.Matthew-Prescott.com
Read lessClass Descriptions
The aim of my contemporary ballet class is to explore how we use the structure of ballet technique to make us freer to move. As we are physical beings, I try to understand how the laws of physics pertain to dance and movement. Together we will examine how contemplating the rules of nature, enabling us have a deeper connection to our bodies and how we move through space.
The class begins with a ballet-based warmup in the center that then transfers to phrases of movement across-the-floor and throughout space. Ideas of opposition throughout the body and in terms of movement are explored as the class progresses. The idea that "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" is a cornerstone to my understanding of physical movement and is highlighted throughout the class.
I encourage dancers to be clearly present and use the power of their minds to engage their bodies. Awareness of one's body and how that body defines space is a central theme to exploring the limitlessness of contemporary dance. Ideas are shared and developed that must first be understood in the brain before they can be understood in our body. I challenge everybody to have an active thought process to achieve mastery of their bodies.
My classes are truly about exploration and the shared experience of being in a studio together. Dancers will be given full range to have a personal experience that enables them to explore the full realm of contemporary ballet.