How a late-blooming dancer became a leader in contemporary dance education
In short: Starting dance at age 17 without formal training, Matthew Slater transformed a college hobby into a distinguished professional career. Today, he shapes the next generation of artists, blending high-level performance with complex academic leadership and a deep commitment to inclusive teaching practices.
Matthew Slater's journey into dance began unexpectedly during his college years. Unlike many professionals who begin training in childhood, he was a relatively late starter, only beginning to dance at 17 while studying A-Level Performing Arts. Despite arriving at his Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) audition feeling clueless and nervous due to a lack of formal technique training, he secured a place and moved to Leeds that September to begin his professional path. After his successful audition, he graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2005. This foundational period set the stage for his subsequent professional pursuits.
His performance career was marked by versatility, touring internationally with companies such as VERVE and EDge. Collaborating with prominent choreographers such as Siobhan Davies and Trisha Brown, he also appeared in productions by Retina Dance Company and Yael Flexer’s Bedlam Dance Company. His movement style is characterized by a virtuosic vocabulary that emphasizes efficiency, sensitivity, and the use of breath, specifically exploring how the body interacts with weight, momentum, and gravity. His artistic reach extended to performing with the Bedlam Dance Company. He also worked under the direction of Filip van Huffel at Retina Dance Company.
Beyond the stage, Slater has become a significant figure in dance academia. Since 2014, he has been teaching in higher education, holding various leadership roles at NSCD. His expertise spans curriculum design, assessment strategy, and quality assurance. He currently serves as the Head of Undergraduate Studies at NSCD and leads the MA Dance Teaching and Facilitating course. His work is defined by a dedication to inclusive practice and supporting the professional development of future dance educators through mentorship and international collaboration. His academic influence extends to the school's governance, where he serves as a Staff Governor on the Board. Additionally, he contributes to the Northern Rascals Advisory Board.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Matthew Slater - Northern School of Contemporary Dance
- Also: Matthew Slater
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