Curriculum Vitae
Matthew Nelson, MFA, CLMA
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
2005-2008MFA in Modern Dance, University of Utah
Daily Technique Class in Modern or Ballet
Workshop Classes with Steve Koester, Satu Hummasti, John Scoville, Abby Fiat, and Tandy Beal
Critical Theory and Qualitative Research Methods with Eric Handman
Dancing Bodies with Eric Handman and Ellen Bromberg
Dance History with Satu Hummasti
Dance and Technology with Ellen Bromberg
Independent Choreographic Study with Ellen Bromberg
Dance Administration with Donna White and Brent Schneider
Teaching Methods with Abby Fiat, Steve Koester, and Pamela Geber
Kinesiology with Pamela Geber
Bone, muscle, and nervous system anatomy
Cadaver laboratory visit
Dance specific kinesiology, injury prevention, experiential anatomy
Dance and Community with Kaye Richards
Feldenkrais with Tommie St. Cyr
Thesis research into the application of somatics to the choreographic process supervised by Kaye Richards, Steve Koester, and Donna White
2006Integrated Movement Studies Laban Movement Analysis Certification
Bartenieff fundamentals, hands-on movement facilitation, motif writing, analysis and practice of body, effort, shape, and space categories of the LMA system
2 year, 600+ hour training
Faculty: Peggy Hackney, Janice Meaden, Ed Groff, Pam Schick, Cadence Whittier
2002Massage Arts of Philadelphia Certification
Full body systems anatomy and physiology
Clay modeling of musculature
Pathology for bodyworkers
Myofascial, Shiatsu, Swedish, Polarity, and “Deep Tissue” techniques
1 Year, 600+ hour training
1998B.A. in Psychology, Pomona College
Emphasis in Neuropsychology, Perception, and Cognition
1996School For International Training: Kenya Coastal Program
Cultural Study, Anthropological Research Methods
Intensive Language Study in Kiswahili
Independent Study of Ngoma (traditional drumming and dance) with Charles Shutu, master drummer at the National Theater in Nairobi
Other Education:
2003Craniosacral therapy training with Paul Brown
Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute, 30 hrs.
1997-CurrentOngoing study of Yoga
Anusara Yoga Immersion/Teacher Training (30 hrs) with Judy Narvid,
Practice and classes in Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Anusara traditions
Teaching Experience:
2010-CurrentVisiting Assistant Professor of Dance at Willamette University
Artistic Director of PeopleDance Spring 2011, Fall 2011
Responsible for structuring dance in the theatre and general curriculum
Technique classes in Modern and Ballet with an interdisciplinary focus
Improvisation and Composition
Intro to Dance/Appreciation
Co-director of the Improvisational Music/Dance Ensemble
2009-2010Full Time Instructor of Dance at Winona State University
Dance Appreciation (creative process focus), Modern II-IV, Ballet I, Repertory, Laban Movement Analysis, Improvisation Jams, Sustainability Committee, Advising, ACDF representative, Production Technology Assistant
2008-2009Adjunct Faculty at Santa Barbara City College,
Modern I, Repertory, Each Semester.
2009The Bridge Project: Somatic Conditioning
A cooperative project between Santa Barbara Dance Theater and the University of California Santa Barbara. A weekly investigation of somatic principles in action.
2008-9Body Sensate Advanced Contemporary Dance
An independently administered weekly technique class in downtown Santa Barbara.
2006-11Master Classes at:
Western Oregon University, Modern Technique (2011)
Pomona College, Somatics (2009)
West Chester University, Modern Technique (2009)
Dickinson College, Modern Technique and Improvisation (2009)
University of California Santa Barbara, Intermediate/Advanced Modern Technique, Non-Majors Technique (2008-9)
Santa Barbara Dance Alliance Company Class (2009)
Western Washington University, Adv. Modern Technique (2008)
Humbolt State University, Technique and Somatics (2008)
Olympus High School, Improvisation (2007)
University of Utah, Creative Process, Technique (2006)
2008Embodied Ecology Seminar
An independently administered movement and discussion seminar series applying the concepts of permaculture and systems theory to somatic movement education.
2008Non-Majors Composition / Improvisation, U.U. Modern Dance Department
A partial semester residency teaching somatics in the creative process
2007-2008Roller Somatics
A weekly movement class at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex using foam rollers. Focus is on core strength and mobility as support for bodily integration and facial release.
2007-2008Global Artways Dance Faculty
Classes in creative dance and modern technique. Age groups from 5-14 years old.
2007Creative Process TA, U.U. Modern Dance Department
A semester long non-majors introduction to movement, composition, and improvisation for which I was the teaching assistant and occasional primary instructor.
2007Strong Body Sensate
A weekly dance class at SugarSpace, a professional studio in Salt Lake City, this class began with body awareness exercises on the floor and progresses to standing ballet-influenced movement through space.
2007Children’s Creative Dance Residency, Salt Lake Jewish Community Center
Two one-week camp programs of my own design and implementation for 4-6 year old children. Also a separate performance residency with kindergarten group.
2006Somatic Conditioning
A conditioning class integrating myofascial release techniques with Bartenieff oriented movement pattern retraining. Taught as an element of my LMA certification. 20 hrs.
2003-5Modern Dance Teacher- Community
Blue Star Rising Studio, Goleta, CA
Montecito School of Ballet, Santa Barbara, CA
Goleta Valley Athletic Club, Goleta, CA
2002-CurrentBody Sensate Movement and Massage Therapy Practice
Integrating my training in bodywork with my experience as a dancer, Laban Movement Analyst, and somatic researcher.
Creative Activity:
Choreography
2011PeopleDance: Stadium, Willamette University, Salem, OR
Premiering in Nov, 2011, An integrated evening length performance incorporating two guest artist works, one student work, and many of my own works: Love Competition #1 & #2, In Bounds, Notice, and Confidence
2011Dances for Apocaplyse, PeopleDance, Willamette University, Salem, OR
Four distinct works create this series that considers the nature of what is left behind when all that is known comes to an end:
Fury is a duet for student dancers with music composed by Michael Nord, and projections by Matthew Romein. Also performed for adjudication at ACDF Northwest 2011, without the projections.
Fervor is a dance theatre work for four student performers that compares ballet with religious tradition, particularly Judao-Christian ideas.
Home is a solo I performed which investigates journey and loss of the past.
Progress was reset for 9 student dancers (see description below)
2011, 09Thripple, Jetlagged: SB ADaPT festival, Santa Barbara, CA
First performed in 2009, Santa Barbara Dance Theatre Dancers’ Concert
A trio of wave forms with two other dancers and myself. Explores the movements themselves and their context within the group dynamic.
2010Mycophelia, Dancescape, Winona State University, MN
A faculty work for 13 student dancers based on the connective structure of fungal mycelium. Music commissioned from Jordan Nelson with a WSU Foundation Grant and played live onstage. Video projections based on photographs of lichens from the Winona area.
2010Rapport, Dancescape, Winona State University, MN, and ACDF Faculty Concert
A duet exploring intimacy, in which I also performed. Music composed by Liberty Kohn.
2009Progress, Santa Barbara City College Spring Dance Concert,
A faculty work for 13 student dancers built on a few specific combinations of steps. Relevant questions are: Why do we strive? What is the purpose of trying? How does striving to progress affect our relationships with others?
2009 Collaukus, New Works, Produced by the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance.
First choreographed in 2008 on Joanna Nobbe for the Real Live Movers’ Collective Delivery of Movement Arts showing, and later performed by me. An investigation of a wave oriented perception of the human body.
2009In My Pocket, Jetlagged: SBDT dancers’ concert, Santa Barbara, CA
A solo for Santa Barbara City College student Julian Young.
2008Borders and Boundaries, Santa Barbara City College Dance Concert,
A faculty work for 9 student dancers exploring why they dance. Investigating the idea that freedom is available to us only within the boundaries of its definition.
2008The Real Live Movers’ Collective: A Delivery of Movement Arts, Santa Barbara
A self produced collaboration with dancer and choreographer Joanna Nobbe exploring the boundaries of dance from abstract movement to culturally meaningful and recognizable symbol. Includes works Collaukus, Real, Punk, and Swim
2007Please Feel Free, Graduate Dance Concert, University of Utah
A collaboration with musician Aaron Chavez. The creative component of my thesis work, the piece is an investigation into the use of somatic principles and practice in choreography and performance.
2007Push to Talk, Student Concert, University of Utah
A collaboration with fellow graduate student Erin Empey and the performers. Two audience members critique a duet that takes place on stage.
2007Modern Dance + Concept, Graduate Showing, University of Utah
A collaboration with media artist Adam Bateman. A political statement is made through the use of classical compositional structure integrated with film.
2007Amnesty for Egotism, Graduate Workshop 3, University of Utah
A duet investigating self touch and closed kinetic chains.
2007ABC, The result of an independent study with Ellen Bromberg. A solo contextualizing randomly ordered phrase-work. Self-performed solo.
2006lamina, Student Concert, University of Utah
Created by watching my movement on videotape using my direct sensate experience of moving as my original stimulus. Self-performed solo.
2005Weather, Graduate Workshop, University of Utah
Explores the placing of the audience onstage to create a more direct experience of the dancer/audience relationship.
2005Flickers, Informal Community Showing, Santa Barbara, CA
An investigation of curved forms and variable phrasing.
2005Trio, Graduate Workshop, University of Utah
A trio exploring bombastic gesture.
1999Airplane, Pomona College
A quartet exploring the duality of airplane flight: incredible, and boring.
1998Kothbiro, Student Dance Concert, Pomona College
Inspired by the music of Ayub Ogada
Dance for the Camera
2005Wu-Li, University of Utah
A dance investigating the coming of winter.
2005Rollersurfing, University of Utah
A movement documentary on skateboarding in Salt Lake City.
Professional Dance Performance
2002-2005,Santa Barbara Dance Theater, Directed by Jerry Pearson
2008-2009Dancing Here Now, Ecstatic Dances, The Circus of Love,
The Weight of Light. Major Santa Barbara performances each season, international touring, kids shows. Choreography of Jerry Pearson, Christina McCarthy, Christopher Pilofian, Doug Elkins, and Stephanie Nugent
2008Performing Dance Company, U.U., The River Runs Dry, Choreography of Steve Koester
2003Motion Theater Dance Company
Mysteries of Light, Choreographed and directed by Maria Frantz
Santa Barbara Performance
2000-2002Dancefusion, Directed by Gwendoln Bye
Works of Susan Deutsch, David Konyk, and Gwendolyn Bye
Philadelphia Performances
2001-2002Anne Marie Mulgrew and Dancers, Directed by Anne Marie Mulgrew
Residency at The Yard, (4/01)
Philadelphia Performances
Additional Dance Performance
2008Burnt, Dance Camera West, Choreography of Juan Carlos Claudio
2008Senior Concert, U.U., Choreography of Rachel Lear
2007Performing Dance Company, U.U., Choreography of Yousouff Koumbassa
2007Student Concert, U.U., Choreography of Corinne Cappelleti
2005Student Concert, U.U., This is a Man, Choreography of Lindsey Drury,
Selected for ACDFA adjudication concert (not performed due to injury)
2005Graduate Concert, U.U., Choreography of Molly Jorgensen
1997-1999 Faculty/Student dance concerts, Pomona College, Choreography of Meg Jolley, Laurie Cameron, and various students
Dance Related Artistic and Professional Skills:
Technical Theater/ Production
2010Winona State University Dancescape technical assistant. Produced and provided live and recorded video integration onstage. Use of CellDNA and Final Cut software.
2005-2008Graduate Assistant in technical theater--Marriott Center for Dance, U.U.
Performance crew for shows, Technology integration, Carpentry, Master Electrician for Studio Theater
2007Lighting design and implementation for Conversations, a film by Ellen Bromberg in collaboration with Victoria Marks
2007Lighting design and implementation for the U.U. Modern Dance dept. graduate showing
1996-1997Lighting design, implementation, and crew head for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Web Design
2008Bodysensate.com. Self produced graphic design and web implementation.
2007Blog Design and Creation-U.U. Department of Modern Dance
In collaboration with Eric Handman.
Musician For Dance, Percussionist
2002-05UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA
1999-2001University of the Arts, Philadelphia
1998-99Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Training in Dance:
2005-2008 University of Utah Faculty: Abby Fiat, Satu Hummasti, Eric Handman, Stephen Koester, Pamela Gaber, Ellen Bromberg, Donna White, Kaye Richards, Brent Schneider
2002-05, 09In residence at UCSB with Santa Barbara Dance Theater
Faculty: Nancy Colahan (Lubovich, White Oak), Christopher Pilofian (Muller), Valerie Huston (ballet), Christina McCarthy
1999-2002American Dance Festival scholarship program
Faculty: Gwen Welliver (Varone), Ming-Lung Yang (Tricia Brown), Miguel Gutierrez, Mark Heim, Doug Nielsen, Sherone Price (African), David Dorfman, Lisa Race, Betty Jones (Limon), Shen Wei (Composition)
1999-2001University of the Arts, Phila., PA, While working as an accompanist
Faculty: Pat Thomas (Graham), Ruth Andrien (Taylor), Gabriel Masson
1999-2000Philadanco scholarship dance program, Phila., PA
Faculty: Pat Thomas (Graham), Milton Myers (Horton)
2000-2002The Working Pointe, Phila, PA
Faculty: Ann Moser Trenka (Ballet and Pilates)
2000-2002Dancefusion Company Class, Phila, PA, Faculty: Susan Deutsch
1997-1999Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Faculty: John Pennington (Lewitzky), Laurie Cameron, Meg Jolley (Limon)
Grants/ Scholarships:
2011Hewlett Foundation Grant, Willamette University
$4000 grant to develop the dance curriculum at Willamette through collaboration with Michael Nord on the Willamette University Improvisatory Music and Dance Ensemble and travel to Luther College to study Jane Hawley’s Movement Fundamentals work.
2010Winona State University Foundation Grant
$1000 grant to commission Jordan Nelson to compose and perform the music for Mycophelia in Dancescape, the departmental showcase of faculty, student, and guest artist works.
2006-2008Graduate Assistant, U.U. Dept. of Modern Dance
2005-2006Tim Wengard Fellowship, U.U. Dept. of Modern Dance
2000-2002American Dance Festival, full work scholar
1999-2000Philadanco, training program full scholarship
Conferences and Presentations:
2011National Dance Education Association, Minneapolis, MN
Workshop Presentation with Michael Nord
“Improvisatory Music and Dance: Finding Each Other”
2011Winona State University, Winona, MN
Performance and Workshop Presentation with Michael Nord
2011Willamette University Faculty Colloquium
Embodied Learning in Academic Applications
2010Willamette University Institute for Continued Learning Guest Lecture
Music and Dance: Partnership and Collaboration
2010American College Dance Festival, Moscow, ID
Adjudicated Choreography: Fury
Classes:
My Spine is Not Straight—Adv. Modern Technique
Moving into Sensation
Partner Bodywork
2010National Dance Education Association, Tempe, AZ
Presented poster: Moving into sensation: Developing personal agency.
2010American College Dance Festival, Stevens Point, WI
Classes (2 each):
Connectivity in Contemporary Dance Technique (Int/Adv)
Moving Into Sensation: Philosophy in Motion
Performance:
Rapport: Faculty Concert. See choreography.
2009Sine of the Spine: Spinal S-curves, Thripple, and Dance Training
Presented at the East-West Somatics Spring Conference, Santa Barbara, CA
2009Sustainability and Embodiment, Presentation for the Permaculture Certification Class, Santa Barbara City College, CA
Professional Associations and Memberships:
International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association
Registered Movement Educator
McKnight Foundation
2009-2010 Panelist: Artist Fellowship for Dancers
Congress on Research in Dance
National Dance Education Organization
Contact Quarterly
American College Dance Festival Association
