Matt Pardo (Founder, Associate Producer), holds a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2016) and an advanced honors B.F.A from the University at Buffalo (2007). He has danced for the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Groundworks Dance Theater, RG Dance Projects, and the River North Chicago Dance Company (apprentice). He was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Dancers in the World for 2010-2011”, one of 10 Americans, by Dance Europe Magazine. Teaching and choreographic credits include American Dance Festival, Skidmore College, Broadway Dance Center, Slippery Rock University, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Centre National de Danse (Paris), and Point Park University to name a few. In 2011, Matt joined the Lucinda Childs Dance Company and spent the past 15 years touring as a company member and company class-instructor performing and teaching in more than 21 countries. His opera credits include the world tour of the Olivier award-winning Philip Glass opera Einstein on the Beach and performances with the Pittsburgh Opera in the Daughter of the Regiment, directed and choreographed by Séan Curran. Scholarly publications include an article in the Journal of Dance Education exploring how to develop a practice of performance and an insert in the Genius Guide to College Dance Programs by Angela Carter. Pardo is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Union and is an Associate professor of dance at James Madison University (matt-pardo.com).

photos by Jesse Anders