Model Matt Hackney

I’m sitting on the beach now in Santa Barbara with my new laptop, listening to “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson.  Such a beautiful song.  I wish more people would see the messages he pushed through his music.  I really believe MJ was one of the strongest dancers and singer ever in history.  His understanding of body mechanics and music identification are incredible. 

He had the luxury of growing up with music at his fingertips and then his drive and passion were able to push that to the limits.  I have been able to connect on a deep level, as well, but through different mediums.  My background in martial arts, mathematics, and athletics are all seen in my dancing.  I’m choreographing a new rumba piece now and it’s exciting what you can do with music when you understand all the intricacies of an artist, math, and the emotions behind life.

I often tell my students, “every aspect of your life can be seen in your dance.  Whether you are an overworker who always has to be the best or if you’re a single mother struggling to pay bills – we can see that in your dance and that is what makes it beautiful.” 

As I sit here, now listening to “Sunny Came Home” by Shawn Colvin – I really look back at who I am and see Matt in the Mirror.  I think this is important in life and the only thing we can ask of life.  Do we love what we’ve accomplished and the journey we’ve taken?  If the answer is yes, then continue down the same path.  If the answer is no- this is not a reason to weep or to feel guilty.  Yet, it is a time to simply switch paths.  Just as Sunny came home to get her tools , you may also need to use your tools to create some new structure in your life.

I’ve taken the road less traveled so long now that it is easy to accept the unacceptance of others.  They are in awe and confused all at the same time in what one can accomplish when you put your mind to it and give no excuse for not achieving your dream. 

“Day & Night” by Kid Cudi is now on.  Believe it or not, my favorite music is rap.  Those that know me from my childhood know this.  I am a big fan of Tupac.  His music, philosophy, and passion in life.  Kid Cudi isn’t exactly about passion, but mentioning I’m listening to this made me think of that.  Kid Cudi is very easy going and playing a good tune to dance to. 

My playlist is moving on to Gotan Project.  I recently watched the new Tom Cruise movie where they are trying to smuggle a battery with endless power.  I really hope the days of “endless” energy are close for us.  Some bacteria eating battery that produces energy as it eats itself or lives off nitrogen in the air.  Gotan Project is a wonderful tango band and they seemed to been the entire score in the Tom Cruise flick.  I couldn’t help but flash over to a tango scene in my head since this music is so familiar to me in my dancing.

Speaking of tango, everyone recently has been calling me Buzz thanks to Mr. Lightyear’s performance in the new Toy Story 3.  I think because I’m the only pro dancer they know, they associate his attitude with me.  Or maybe when he gets his switch flipped and becomes a military man they associate that side with me?  Ha.  You’ll have to watch the movie – it’s pretty good for kids and adults.

It’s amazing how much you can tell about someone by their music.  I’m now listening to Boyz II Men – “I’ll Make Love to You.”  I love this song!  I’m a hopeless romantic and can remember listening to this years ago.  Boyz II Men have always been at the top of my playlist.  90s Motown Philly overall is great in my opinion.  This song is also a beautiful (but fast) Viennese Waltz or nightclub 2 step.  Some people only see the side of me who is the strict “Technician” as they call me in the ballroom.  I’ll admit, I get pretty technical on my lessons.  Though, the side nobody sees loves the waltz over other dances and the grace it brings to life. 

Speaking of Tupac, “Dear Mama” just came on.  I have my mp3 player on shuffle and it’s finding what it knows I want to hear.  Even though I’m on the other side of the country from my Mom, I feel we’re really close.  As I was growing up, I hung out with the guys all the time – going mountain biking or boating or playing football & baseball.  Tons of sports and getting in fun trouble.  Then I wasn’t too keen on having girlfriends or going on dates.  Though I had a blast going out to movies with my mom or going on a run with her.  I’ve yet to meet a woman who appreciates cooking, athletics, education, morals, and everything else she stands for.  For this same reason, I’ve yet to introduce someone to my family as even a potential for “the one.”

At this previous Christmas, I was with my girlfriend’s family.  They all wanted to sit inside, eat food and watch TV.  This is not much different than my family, but my mom is different.  I called her and said “We’ve been inside for 3 days straight!! I’m going to die!!”  She said she felt the same way and wished she had someone to go running with.  I hope to host a Marathon around every Christmas in the future and be surrounded by more people who understand how fun athletics are and consider it a vacation.  I can’t wait to meet a girl who lives up to everything my mom stands for and more.

Ok, I guess I should get some work done today even though it’s a nice beach day.  What does your playlist look like and what does it say about you?

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In preparation for the new class being taught on KiwiOnline & also sections available at MOVFitness.com – I have been making dance maps & tutorials.  These maps show exactly where someone’s footwork should be – differentiating right & left and then have the timing for the step in the upper right corner.

There are also videos available on the websites & more to come in the future.  We are designing our very own dance syllabus that is geared more towards “Show Dance” than any other format.  There are American Dancing Syllabuses, International Syllabuses, but nobody has a “Show Dance” syllabus.  This pretty much means we will teach people how to look good on camera with our classes.  A “Show Dance” is able to capture the audience’s attention and focuses on footwork, expression, and music identification.

Dancing is taken too seriously in my opinion and if you look at the top professionals – sure they may be technically sound in their dancing, but is it honestly entertaining?  If the end result isn’t entertaining then I think they’ve wasted all their training.  We’re approaching dance from the entertainment perspective and making sure that even from day #1 you will find yourself entertained and also the audience will be in seeing you dance with our method.

For example… a typical lesson with another syllabus will be technical and teach you a salsa basic & a tango basic on the first day.  They will tell you to bend your knees, watch how you lift your toes & where to place your heels.  They will repeat this process for the first few weeks.

In our syllabus, you will learn how to connect to your partner on the first day as a high priority and then we will give you expression in your face and body that resembles the dance.  From day #1, the audience should be able to see what is going on with the dancer based solely on expression – we teach as if our audience is deaf and can only see movement to depict emotion & personality from one dance to another.  The first day you will most likely do at LEAST one full 8 count in a dance with points, dips, and spins.  Not too bad, eh?

Sign up on the new MOVFitness site to see our free tutorials.

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Here’s a video of Erica Colvin & I doing a foxtrot.

I’m a professional ballroom dancer. I’d love to learn other forms of dance. Please contact me if you want to trade styles – I’m always interested in learning new things.

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