Mr. Matthew Shields - Canadian born entertainer, teacher, choreographer, writer, director, collaborator, visual artist, consultant, entrepreneur and one extraordinary tap dancer, Matthew Shields is truly, one of a kind.

 

The multi-talented Matthew Shields made a name for himself in the arts and dance world while working in Austin, Texas for the internationally acclaimed Tapestry Dance Company. Mr. Shields danced with Tapestry for nearly a decade, as he began as a Principal Dancer with company in 2004.  As TDC toured china, Shields graduated to Dance Captain in 2011. He then graciously stepped in as Assistant Artistic Director in 2012/13, and Shields finished his monumental run with the company as Resident Choreographer in 2014. 

Tapestry’s 25th anniversary season was warmly celebrated, and began with a breath taking premiere, as Mr. Shields was entrusted with choreographing and directing an original production for Tapestry; XXV - Anticipation of Next. 

Mr. Shields was an original cast member of the Tapestry’s; The Souls of Our Feet: A  Tribute to American Tap Dance. This show was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts: American Masterpieces Restoration grant program. It toured all over the United States, Canada and China between 2006-2012.  Tap dance legends such as; Dr. Harold “Stumpy” Cromer, Dr. Jeni LeGon, Fred Astaire, The Condos Brothers, Dr. Artur Duncan, Dianne Walker, Brenda Buffalino, Sarah Petronio, Acia Gray, Heather Cornell and many other legendary artists works were a part of this production. From the experience gained in this production, is where Mr. Shields says, “I truly ‘learned’ to tap dance”. 

 

In summer of 2013, Mr. Shields directed and co-hosted Rhythm Lives for the Montreal Tap Festival which featured the legendary Dr. Arthur Duncan. That same summer Shields performed as a special guest with the Toronto Rhythm Initiative, where he was featured as a soloist, his choreographies were showcased, and once again he was privileged to dance alongside Dr. Arthur Duncan.

 

In 2012 Mr. Shields was commissioned by the Vancouver Tap Society to create, write and direct a full length tap dance production. The commission was beautifully transformed by Shields and friends into an, epic-tap-dance-musical-comedy titled, A Chronological Life Story of a Few Tap Dancers. This special production featured Canadian artists Travis Knights, Danny Nielsen and American tap virtuoso Derick K. Grant. 

 

Mr. Shields has performed at both the Toronto and Edmonton International Jazz Festivals. The Edmonton Fringe Festival and Feats Festival of Dance. He was a guest artist in Switzerland for the International Dance Organization's Swiss Tap Championships. Mr. Shields has also appeared several times at the L’International Festival le Danse Encore in Quebec, Canada.

 

Mr. Shields has shared his knowledge and talents in the classroom and on the stage at many national and international festivals. Some include; TDC’s Soul to Sole Tap Festival, Tap Ahead Festival (Dusseldorf, GR), The Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival, The Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Space City Tap Fest (Houston,TX) and Hoofin' Ground (Charlotte, NC).   

 

Mr. Shields created the boys tap program in Tapestry's youth academy in 2007 and over the years has grown it from 6 boys to now over 26 young male students. 

Mr. Shieds frequently volunteers his time to perform at numerous non-profit events;  including support for the Dell Children’s Hospital, Project Transitions and Aids Services of Austin.  

 

Mr. Shields is a lover of jazz and all things jazz. Jazz is cool, jazz is everywhere. Jazz is of the people, and it don’t mean a thing, if you ain’t go that swing! 

—Swing on folks!