Podcast Episodes

Episode 133: Matthew Palfenier [Belhaven Dance Alumni – Part Six]

by Rachel Caldwell

It was so fun to reconnect with Matthew Palfenier for episode 133, part six of our Belhaven Dance Alumni series! We reminisce about our time at Belhaven University and the sense of camaraderie that was built during that season. Matthew and I explore his journey from early foundations in the arts, to his time at Belhaven, to becoming a professional dancer and educator. He shares about the pressure cooker experience of the professional dance world, and the importance of self-reflection in the face of burnout. We also chat about the power of community and mentorship, especially during times of uncertainty.

Matthew gives us insight into his transition from performing to teaching, both the challenges and rewards of learning a new skill set. I love how Matthew values passing on knowledge to the next generation and guiding his students as they learn to embrace their unique path as an artist. He also touches on the significance of choreography as a door to conversation and building deeper connections with others.

Several other Belhaven Dance Alumni have shared their stories on the podcast over the years, so we’ve gathered all the episodes together in a playlist for you! Check out the playlist on Spotify!

You can watch the show on YouTube or Spotify, or listen through your favorite podcast app (ie. Apple Podcasts, Spotify). You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing wherever you prefer to connect! We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

About Matthew:

Matthew Palfenier was born in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 1987 but grew up in the Inland Northwest, United States, where he spent the majority of his time studying various art disciplines, including choral music, painting, photography, and playing the violin. In 2008, he was discovered by James and Lucia Martin and began his dance studies at Hearts in Step Christian Dance Academy in Wyoming, Michigan.



In 2010, Matthew was invited to pursue his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Modern Dance at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, on a full-ride academic and artistic scholarship. There, he studied ballet under Caleb Mitchell (Houston Ballet) and Ravenna Tucker (Royal Ballet), improvisation studies with Cynthia Newland (former BU Dance Department Chair), and post-modern choreography and movement with Erin Scheiwe Rockwell and Dr. Emily Wright. Matthew was awarded Belhaven University’s Bezalel Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement in the spring of 2013 and soon after was invited to represent Belhaven University on a five-week dance tour across South Korea as a part of Bal Malhada (Feet Speak). The trip included 32 performances in 11 different cities, and among the highlights were premiering Sung Yong Kim’s (Dance Company Mooe) original work “For” at the International Busan Dance Festival and the filming of a documentary and a series of screen-dance shorts in collaboration with students from Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts under the supervision of Neil George (After the Sewol, 2017).



Matthew relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, in the summer of 2014, where he joined the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater (LVCDT) as a company artist for five seasons. During his time with the company, Matthew performed classic contemporary-modern and neo-classical repertoire choreographed by Alvin Ailey, Ulysses Dove, Elisa Monte, Milton Myers, Hope Boykin, Jeon James, Nicholas Villeneuve, Marie-Joe Lide (Tabet), Avree Walker, and company director and co-founder Bernard H. Gaddis, among others. He also took on a leadership role as a co-artistic director of LVCDT’s junior company, the LVCDT2. In November of 2018, “The Murder on Vehement Hill” became Matthew’s first full-length ballet and choreographic debut.



In the fall of 2022, Matthew joined the staff of Ovations Studios in Bethesda, Maryland, instructing students of all ages in ballet, modern, and contemporary technique. He currently teaches full time, choreographing original works for his students at each end-of-year recital, working with male guest artists who participate in the annual presentation of Ovations Studios’ “The Nutcracker,” and mentoring graduating students in their career endeavors.

Matthew received his teaching certificate upon completion of the Dance Teacher University program (presented by Dance Teacher Web and in partnership with University of Las Vegas) in the summer of 2024.

Links from the Show:

Connect with Matthew:

On Instagram

matthewp@ovationsstudios.com