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Bob Boross

Bob Boross

Bob Boross is known internationally for his artistic excellence in jazz, tap, and musical theatre dance. Bob’s theatre jazz dance teaching is influenced by his training with jazz dance pioneers Matt Mattox, Billy Siegenfeld, and Michael Owens, while his tap dance technique draws from a mix of a light, off of the heels Broadway style with an enhanced syncopation. His classes impart a high level of technique, sensitivity to musicality and nuance, theatre dance style, and encouragement of personal expression and performance qualities.

His impactful career includes dancing on Broadway in Can-Can with choreography by Roland Petit, setting his concert jazz dance works on dance companies throughout Europe and Scandinavia, and teaching as a US State Department sponsored cultural artist at the Boris Eifman Dance Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. His musical choreography includes Guys and Dolls, Victor/Victoria, Forum, Blood Brothers, The Drowsy Chaperone, Best Little Whorehouse, Company, Cabaret, Fun Home, Singin’ In the Rain, A Funny Thing Happened, Annie Get Your Gun, and My Way – A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.

In 2016 Bob was featured as a jazz dance master in both Dance Teacher and Dance Studio Life magazines, and as an invited professor at the NDEO Jazz Dance Conference in Newport, RI. Bob was the featured musical theatre teacher for the Kennedy Center’s 2016 “Dance Day,” produced by Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzy Feet Foundation. He was also a featured commentator in the award winning documentary Uprooted – The Journey of Jazz Dance. His choreography in the US has been commissioned by Velocity Dance DC, the NY Jazz Dance Choreography Project, Jazz Dance Los Angeles, and the Jazz Roots Dance Company.

In academia Bob has been a professor of jazz dance, tap dance, and musical theatre dance, most notably as head of jazz/tap at the University of California/Irvine Dance Department and musical theatre dance program head at Shenandoah University. He has been an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Marymount Manhattan College, American University, and currently at Monmouth University in NJ. He has led university master classes at Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, NYU, Southern Methodist, West Texas A&M, and Hunter and Rhode Island Colleges.

Overview of the Matt Mattox Jazz Dance Technique

The Matt Mattox jazz dance technique is a structured movement training method that emphasizes mastery and control over various dance movements. It is designed to benefit dancers of all styles, not just those focused on jazz.

Key Features

  • Integration of Styles: The technique combines elements from ballet, tap, and jazz, allowing dancers to develop a versatile skill set.
  • Body Isolation: A significant focus is placed on body isolation exercises, which help dancers gain better control over their movements.
  • Codified Warm-Up Routines: The technique includes specific warm-up exercises that are essential for preparing the body for dance.

Benefits

  • Mastery of Movement: Dancers learn to analyze and assimilate movements effectively, enhancing their overall performance capabilities.
  • Versatility: While rooted in jazz, the technique is applicable to various dance forms, making it a valuable training method for all dancers.
  • Historical Context: Understanding the historical and cultural background of jazz dance is encouraged, enriching the dancer’s connection to the movements.This comprehensive approach not only improves technical skills but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the art of dance.