Gail Matthews
About:
I have taught creative dance for young children and have been a movement coach to provincial-level rhythmic gymnast and ice skaters at the Weston Summer Skating School. I also teach ballet to children age 6-14 and Israeli Folk Dance for elementary school children, including dance and movement for teacher education students in Bachelor of Ed programs.
I am interested in organizing a summer dance program for young children in the Weston-Mount Dennis area.
I served as a dance juror for the Cultural Affairs Office in Saint John, New Brunswick. I also served as an adjudicator in the selection of the 2006 Sheila Ross Memorial Scholarship Award.
One of my early International arts development experiences was teaching university - community based dance projects in Guguletu, Nyanga, Mannenberg and Bonteheuwel townships in Cape Town South Africa.
Another project that I am proud of is my involvement with the Rikudiyah, Children’s Israeli Folk Dance Festival at Tait McKenzie Gym, York University and performing for the 50th celebration of the founding of the State of Israel at Ontario Place.
In addition, I was the dance instructor for the dance component of the Music Program at the Ministry of Health in Penetanguishene, Ontario. This program involved clients at the hospital in Penetanguishene. I worked with project director Nurse-Clinician Beth Hamer, who designed the music for this series.
Thoughts about art and community:
I am really excited about how the arts are developing here in Toronto. There is such a large pool of talent and it is encouraging to see how people are working together to create artistic endeavors.