Off Ice Classes

Matthew Reiner hails from the small rural town Springfield, Minnesota, and attributes the early formations of his artist career to his time living there. While technically taking a year of dance when he was 5, Matt wouldn’t officially study the form until he was much older. Living in Minnesota, he studied and participated in both speech and the dramatic arts, while also becoming a varsity athlete in 3 sports. Upon graduation from high school, Matt relocated to California where he studied at the University of California Irvine. It is here that he discovered his passion for dance and began training at the age of 18. While at UCI he trained in many styles, including: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Breakdancing. Matt graduated from UCI with a B.A. in both Film and Media Studies, and Criminology Law and Society in June of 2012. Afterwards, Matt became a scholarship student at the Jimmie Defore Dance Center, where he continued to train in both classical and street styles. He also began substitute teaching at Defore in 2014, and became a permanent faculty member in 2015 teaching Jazz. Matt joined Nannette Brodie Dance Theater in February of 2013. He has been a part of many tours, kid shows, and performances since joining. He also performed in both Camelia La Tejana and Hydrogen Jukebox in connection with the Long Beach opera. He also joined Inked Dance Company, under direction of Brian Moe, in 2014. And had danced in some smaller productions, including a large flash mob for Vans sneakers. Recently Matt filmed a small role in the Independent film “Waiting in the Wings The Musical: Still Waiting.”

Teaching Experience:
20 years of working with figure skaters on and off the ice

Education:
The Moscow State Academy of Choreography aka The Bolshoi Ballet Academy Class of 1990

Work:
The Bolshoi Ballet / Grigorovich Company
The Bolshoi Ballet Main Company

Stage Experience:
Swan Lake
The Nutcracker
Don Quixote
La Sylphide
Giselle
La Bayadere
Romeo and Juliette
The Sleeping Beauty
Raymonda
Spartacus
Paquita
The Golden Age
Multiple tours throughout USA, Europe, Asia

Current and former students include:
Evan Lysacek, Mirai Nagasu, Timothy Goebel, Angela Nikodinov, Kimmie Meissner, Caroline Zhang, Richard Dornbush, Vincent Zhou, Karen Chen, Gracie Gold, Grant Hochstein, Tomoki Hiwatashi, Misha Ge (UZ), Denis Ten (KAZ), Takahiko Kozuka (Japan), Carolina Kostner (Italy)

I'm offering intensive ballet training for skaters to improve artistic presentation, music interpretation, posture, flexibility and strength using methods of Russian classical ballet education in combination with the best traditions of Russian figure skating school.

Please contact Galina directly regarding private and semi-private training: galinabarinova@yahoo.com.   

Contact: meganwess798@gmail.com

Number of Years Teaching: 4

Skating/Competitive Background:

USFS Triple Gold Medalist (moves in the field, freestyle, pairs)

Team USA Member- Singles 2015-2020

U.S. Figure Skating Championships Top 6 Finish- Senior

U.S. Figure Skating Championships Bronze Medalist- Junior

ISU Senior and Junior Grand Prix Competitor

Coaching Specialty and Philosophy:

I enjoy working with skaters of all ages and skill levels. In my coaching, I strive not only to have my skaters improve in their technical abilities, but also to learn how to challenge themselves and overcome adversity. I believe that each skater’s on-ice experience contributes to overall personal development and the lessons that they learn from the sport can be applied to many different aspects of their lives.

Contact: mkdowzall@gmail.com

Skating Background:
USFS Triple Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Free Skating, and Partnered Pattern Dance
Pacific Coast Sectional Championships Competitor - Junior Ladies
Southwest Pacific Regional Championships Top 5 Finish - Junior Ladies
10+ years of Classical Ballet Training

Professional Accomplishments:
Figure Skater in TSMxLenovo Stay Cool Commercial

Education:
Currently studying Psychology (B.S.) at University of California Irvine

Additional Languages:
Japanese

Coaching Specialty / Philosophy:
I love working with skaters of all ages and levels, valuing every minute on the ice as an opportunity to improve. I adjust my teaching methods to the unique personality type and different learning style of each student, and I strive to be patient and understanding with all of my skaters. My goal is to encourage skaters to find the fun in skating, while technically challenging them every step of the way. I am also passionate about incorporating the importance of body awareness learned in classical ballet as they grow as a skater.