Dance Instructor, Children's Book Author, Professional Clown.
"To live will be an awfully big adventure." - J.M. Barrie
Introduction
Matthew C. Donnell, a native of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, received his formal dance training from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) and the Rock School. Matthew danced with the Kansas City Ballet, performing soloist and principal roles by the great ballet and contemporary masters. Critically acclaimed, the Kansas City Star named Matthew 30 under 30 artists to watch.
Dancing has taken him to stages all over the world: including the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, performing with Young Tanzsommer in Austria, and entertaining the troops at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.
Additionally, Mr. Donnell is an actor, singer, film maker, physical comedian (clown), and licensed Minister. His theater credits include Kansas City Starlight Theatre, Kansas City New Theatre, Houston Theatre Under the Stars, and the New York Musical Festival.
With partner Alana Niehoff, he wrote, produced, and performed in his one-man clown/physical comedy show The Chapeau Show in NYC benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
His short film series, The Adventures of Jim has been screened in film festivals on the East and West Coasts.
He currently sits on the board of governors for the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the union that represents ballet and opera performers.
Dance Instructor
Matthew is a faculty member for the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB). He has instructed, choreographed, set repertoire, and rehearsed professional ballet companies and schools across the U.S.
including CPYB, UNCSA (where he served as the Director of the Preparatory Dance Program), Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, The University of Alabama, Kansas City Ballet, The Montgomery Ballet, Alabama Dance Theatre, D’Valda and Sirico Music and Dance Centre, and Dance Teacher Web Live.
He has received teacher training in the CPYB syllabus, Classical Character training and certification with Inna Stabrova, and is an ABT® Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Children's Book Author
Matthew's debut illustrated book,
The Boy with the Patch: The Nutcracker Chronicles
will be out this Fall!
This is a part one in an adventure series for children of all ages!
This book will be published by the Charles Bruce Foundation, a non-profit in Carlisle, PA whose mission is to financially support and enhance the lives of Writers, Artists, and Musicians.
Matthew is donating the proceeds from the first release of his book to the CBF as the desire to help artists is close to his heart.
Professional Clown
Clowning is: Fun. Safe. Not Silly.
"If it's silly, it's not safe. If it's not safe, it can't be fun."
This is Matthew's credo as he strives to share joy with audiences and students. The art form of "clown" is broad and beautiful, and with the correct execution, it isn't scary at all.
Matthew has entertained audiences through his clowning on film, stage, and street performances.
He teaches physical comedy/clowning to help unlock the mind and expand the human experience.