MEET MATTHEW CLARK

DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF CLARK ACADEMY DANCE CENTER

 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Master Teacher | Choreographer | Dancer

Matthew Clark

DIRECTOR MATTHEW CLARK
Matthew Clark

Matthew Clark

For over 35 years, Matthew Clark has been a force in the dance world. As a professional dancer, Matthew has performed in numerous stage productions and in commercials for Reebok, Toyota, and Calvin Klein. But his passion for teaching dancers both young and old is what has gained Matthew accolades across the globe.

Not all dancers can teach dance, and not all teachers can dance. Matthew Clark is one of the rare few that has proven to have excellence in both dance and teaching dance. He inspires, motivates, and elevates his students with his joyful and positive demeanor that imparts a lasting positive influence in the lives of his students.  Matthew Clark has trained thousands of students over the years as a Master Dance Teacher, choreographed hundreds of productions for stage and film, and claimed hundreds of awards. Many of Matthew’s students have gone dancing on Broadway and beyond, because of the high-quality dance training and the self-confidence he helps his students possess.

Matthew’s work as a teacher, choreographer, mentor, competition judge, and creative director has earned him the highest honors from the community, accolades from the dance community, and international acclaim.

He has been using dance as a vehicle to inspire, mentor and a means to give back to his community and those in need. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Over the course of his career as one of the best dance teachers in the United States, he has been awarded countless civic and professional accolades across the globe.

Here are just a few of the accomplishments of Matthew Clark.

2022 TEAM USA DIRECTOR

2022 DIRECTOR- AMERICAN ALL STARS TEAM

CANADIAN DANCE TEAM

TEAM CANADA DANCE

MATTHEW CLARK AND SAVION GLOVER

MATTHEW CLARK AND SAVION GLOVER

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2022 Director for the American All-Stars Dance Team for the World Dance Challenge

Choreographer for the USA National Tap Team

Choreographer for the USA National Jazz Tea

Choreographer for the Canadian National Tap Tea

Dance Teachers Hall of Fame New York State Inducted

Dance Teachers Hall of Fame Canada Inductee

Canadian National Tap Champions Director/Choreographer

North American Tap Champions Director/Choreographer

Miss Buffalo Scholarship Competition- Executive producer and Board of Directors

Nicholas Brothers Foundation Co-founder

Dance Masters of America member

Dance Educators of America Member

 

CIVIC HONORS

 

Mary B Talbot Award

CITY OF BUFFALO PROCLAMATION- MARY B. TALBOT AWARD

Matthew Clark was honored by the Maty B. Talbert Civic and Cultural Award which spotlights teachers, instructors, and mentors in the community who have demonstrated sincere dedication and compassion in their teaching.

PRESIDENT CLINTON LETTER TO MATTHEW CLARK

PRESIDENT CLINTON CONGRATULATES MATTHEW CLARK

President Clinton’s personal letter was written to Matthew Clark and Tiffany Hillard and the dancers at Clark Academy for winning the World Title in Duo Formation Tap Dancing at the 1996 World Tap Dance Championships.

MATTHEW CLARK DAY

MATTHEW CLARK DAY

A tribute of love was given to Master Teacher Matthew Clark during the production of “Life as an Artist” at the New Phoenix Theatre. Mayor Anthony Masiello proclaimed February 25th and 26th, 1999 as “Matthew Clark Day”.

CANADA HONORS MATTHEW CLARK

CANADIAN NATIONAL DANCE DIRECTOR

“Matthew is the only choreographer in the history of World Championships to consistently turn out World Champions in both Tap and Jazz.

Nothing surpasses his expertise in dance but his personality!”

State of NY Legislature Congratulates Clark Academy

STATE OF NY LEGISLATURE OF ERIE COUNTY

Congratulating Matthew Clark and Clark Academy Dance Center for their grand opening on August 22, 2020.

“As a result of his mastery in teaching, competing, and judging, Matthew earned well-deserved recognition as a viable member of the dance world in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia”.

Clark Academy Receives Grant from Erie County Legislature

ERIE COUNTY URBAN BUSINESS GRANT

 

April Baskin Chair of the Erie County Legislature and 2nd District, and Howard J. Johnson Jr. 1st District legislature awarded grants to organizations that offer services and give care to seniors and children in the community.

PROFESSIONAL DANCE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS

DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA

DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA

NDCA

NATIONAL DANCE COUNCIL OF AMERICA

DANCE MASTERS

DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA

NYS Dance Educators of America

NY STATE DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA

WORLD DANCE ORG

WORLD DANCE ORGANISATION

IDO INT'L DANCE ORG

IDO INTERNATIONAL DANCE ORGANISATION

COMPETITIONS

Dance Competition Affiliations
COMPETITIONS AFFILIATIONS