Former Dancer
Matthew is from Manchester and trained at Central School of Ballet and on the Academy of Northern Ballet’s Professional Graduate Programme. He joined Northern Ballet in 2018 and left in December 2021.
Learn more about Matthew
Where were you born and raised?
In Manchester.
At what age did you start dancing?
I started dancing at the age of nine.
Where did you train?
I started my training in Manchester at Kennedy’s School and College for Performing Arts. I then spent three years training at Central School of Ballet and after I graduated I joined the Professional Graduate Programme at the Academy of Northern Ballet.
Which Northern Ballet role would you most like to dance?
Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.
Career/training highlights
Getting to perform the role of Dracula in an excerpt of Michael Pink’s Dracula with Ballet Central. Also getting the opportunity to perform as a sailor in David Nixon’s The Little Mermaid was a great achievement for me.
What do you like most about being a dancer?
I think it’s great how I get to do something that I love for a living. Everyday getting to push myself and improve further as an artist, while also getting the privilege of performing on stages across the country.
If you could adapt one work into a ballet what would it be?
I think it would be very interesting to see the story of Pocahontas adapted into a Ballet.
What is your favourite book?
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman.
What is your favourite post-show meal?
Salmon and pasta.
How do you like to relax?
I like to relax with friends with a nice glass of wine or have a good soak in the bath.
If you weren’t a dancer what would you be?
I’m very much into interior design, so I think I would have done something design related.
Matthew is sponsored by Neil Eckersley.
Photos taken by Justin Slee.