Dance And Choreographic Arts
About
RaeAnn Matson (Rae) is an American dance entertainment and education industry professional from Milwaukee, WI. She has performed, choreographed and taught dance across the country in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles as well as abroad in Central America and Europe.
While training in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, and modern dance, Rae grew up on the competition/convention circuit, securing special awards, titles and scholarships including admission to The Rock School (Philadelphia, PA) and The Joffrey Ballet (Chicago, IL) Summer intensives. Her time spent as a competitive dancer led to the honor and privilege of assisting and performing under the direction of her late great mentor and friend, Doug Caldwell.
Rae has worked extensively in musical theater, performance companies, film/commercials, music videos and of course back at her roots in a competitive studio setting.
Over the years she has received numerous awards and recognitions for outstanding choreography and enjoys watching her students' hard work pay off with innumerable accolades of their own.
As a teacher and choreographer with 20 years experience, it is Rae's greatest joy to help her students achieve their goals and reach their dreams by clearly establishing the relationship and balance between rock solid technique and a genuine, dynamic performance, both onstage and in the studio.
Rae is thrilled to continue sharing her passion for Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Musical Theater dance with students of all ages, near and far.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to get to know a new student and meet them where they're at. After all, everyBODY is different and is on a journey unique to them.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Prices for class or choreography varies based on several factors. I'm happy to chat and discuss so that we can come to an aggreement that works best for both of us.
How did you get started teaching?
As a young and enthusiastic dancer there was nowhere else I'd rather have been than in the dance studio. This was obvious to my instructors and choreographers. By 11 years old I was assisting nearly as many classes as I was taking per week and by 15 was teaching my own classes and choreographing my own dances.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students of all ages and levels, though a lot of my focus in recent years has been on my competitve and pre-professional students. No matter where you are in your dance journey, I love helping dancers discover and reach their goals and potential, whether that's a new dancer preparing for their first performance, an actor seeking to gain musicality and move with more confidence or an advanced student getting ready for auditions. From our first class to our final bow, it's my belief that we as movers and dancers are forever growing, learning and expending on our skills.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
As you already know, Covid 19 has had a major impact on the way we all do things. Dance is no exception. Over the course of 2020 I've been forced to adapt and adjust the means by which I teach and choreograph. While I'm not currectly working in a studio environment, my final piece that was rehearsed in studio and performed at competition in 2020 ending up winning best choreography overall. While this isn't the first or hopefully last choreography award I have the honor of receiving, it is one I'm particularly proud of since by the time the dance made it to competition the performers weren't to touch(do partner work or lifts), get within 6 feet of eachother (original formations were modified), and all dancers wore masks (limiting facial expressions meant to convey emotion). For all the things we plan and prepare for in the studio, a pandemic hadn't ever been one of them but even still, a panel of judges were able to see past these obstacles and appreciate the perseverence of the dancers onstage and the modified choreography I'd dreamed up.